What is truly radical about the brand of hospitality Hedgebrook doles out is in its impact. For twenty-five years the bucolic retreat on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington state has hosted female writers in residence from around the world; Gloria Steinem, Eve Ensler, Jane Hamilton and songwriter Joanna Newsom, have all called it home. But giving these women a cozy countryside cottage in a supportive nurturing community is only part of founder Nancy Nordhoff and Sheryl Feldman’s vision. They also aim to help the writers connect to the land and the bounty from the property’s vast organic garden, therefore meals are of imminent importance. Come dinnertime the women writers gather over home-cooked meals served in the farmhouse kitchen, with views of Useless Bay and Puget Sound in the background and swap stories while they break bread. And, as the release of Hedgebrook’s first cookbook reveals, it’s much more than bread that they’re breaking. Now many of the recipes that Hedgebrook chefs have been relying on to satisfy and inspire writers over the years are available for those of us who will likely never get an invite to occupy one of those idyllic cottages. A collection of lovingly assembled recipes for simple, soothing dishes like banana cardamom bread, chicken tortilla soup, cauliflower mac and cheese, lamb curry and “Full Moonsakka”, aka moussaka to be enjoyed on the occasion of a full moon, it will be getting plenty of traction in my kitchen once the temperature drops. After all, when faced with writer’s block, what could be more inspiring than eating as Gloria Steinem does? FIORELLA V.
