From Michelin star– and James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef/owner of Monteverde Restaurant in Chicago, Sarah Grueneberg, a vegetable focused cookbook of more than 180 Italian-inspired recipes.

James Beard Award–winning and Top Chef finalist chef Sarah Grueneberg has a secret to share: fruits and vegetables are singing loudly around you, begging you to take them home and try something new. Are you listening? Some are asking to be put in salads, yes. But what does this asparagus want you to do with it? What does it like to be paired with?

In this incredible exploration of seasonal produce, Sarah offers insights, techniques, and recipes to truly get the best out of your vegetables—how and when to shop for, cook, season, and seamlessly incorporate potatoes, squash, beans, greens, mushrooms, peppers, and more. Each of the 15 chapters focuses on a vegetable (or fruit, depending on your definition) so they can take center stage, plus one devoted entirely to pastas, drawing on Sarah’s long love affair with Italian cooking and the methods that she uses at her renowned restaurant, Monteverde. This elemental cookbook celebrating seasonal produce offers more than 180 impressive yet surprisingly achievable recipes, including:

  • Shaved Mushroom and Celery Salad with Truffle Vinaigrette (#thatsaladtho)
  • Grilled Japanese Sweet Potatoes with Honey Butter and Pimenton
  • Carrot and Lamb Merguez Sausage Lasagna

You’ll also find indispensable tips and techniques, under the heading “Get It Get It”—an expression Sarah uses in her kitchen when things are coming together perfect. With Listen to Your Vegetables, even the most carnivorous will be inspired to elevate their vegetable game.


Recipes from the Monteverde Kitchen

FUSILLI RUSTICO ALL’ AMATRICIANA

Serves 4 as a main course or 8 as a mid course


GNOCCHETTI SARDI CON POMODORO

Serves 4-6


PANTRY SPAGHETTI

Serves 4

Make the pasta featured in Bon Appétit


PASTA FREDDA WITH SUMMER HERB PESTO

Serves 8 as a side dish