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How Carrots Won the Trojan War: Curious (but True) Stories of Common Vegetables
How Carrots Won the Trojan War Curious Stories of Common Vegetables - but True Author:Rebecca Rupp Vegetables are more than just food for humans: they?ve been characters, companions, and even protagonists throughout history. How Carrots Won the Trojan War is a delightful collection of little-known stories about the origins, legends, and historical signifi cance of 23 of the world?s most popular vegetables. — Curious cooks, devoted gardeners, ... more »and casual readers alike will be fascinated by the far-fetched tales of their favorite foods? pasts. Readers will discover why Roman gladiators were massaged with onion juice before battle, how celery contributed to Casanova?s conquests, how peas almost poisoned General Washington, why some seventeenth-century turnips were considered degenerate, and, of course, how carrots helped the Greeks win the Trojan War (hint: carrots enabled the soldiers to stay inside the Trojan horse without a break).
In addition, Rupp offers gardening tips and sheds light on (and shreds myths about) vegetable nutrition. For example, carrots are healthier cooked than raw, and the most nutritious part of a tomato is the jelly around the seeds. The author of numerous books spanning the topics of science, nature, fantasy, and home schooling, Rupp brings her well-crafted, witty storytelling to the world of vegetables. How Carrots Won the Trojan War is the perfect book for vegetable gardeners, foodies, and anyone else interested in the secret stories behind a salad.« less