Susan Ebert Visits Round Top

Susan Ebert’s love of the outdoors, healthy eating and family inspired her to write The Field to Table Cookbook: Gardening, Foraging, Fishing & Hunting. She will sign copies of the book, published by Welcome Books and distributed by Random House, at Junk Gypsy World Headquarters in Round Top on March 26 from 1 to 3 p.m.

“It was a perfect storm of interest that compelled me to write this book,” said Ebert, who wrote for Texas Monthly and Rodale’s Organic Gardening before becoming the first female editor of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. “This seasonal, how-to cookbook combines all of my passions—hunting, fishing, gardening and foraging.”

Although there are many wild game cookbooks, Ebert set out to write a family-friendly book with accessible recipes based on ingredients that are at their peak during a given month. For instance, September, which is the opening month of dove season in Texas, includes recipe for pressure canned doves in a blackberry mole sauce. Spring turkey season inspired her to reimagine the Texas classic King Ranch casserole using the wild bird and homemade cream sauce in lieu of canned, processed soups.

The book is also a how-to guide for cleaning, processing, curing and preserving the fresh foods.

“It’s a gift to be able to produce a book filled with information that you’re passionate about,” Ebert said. “Healthy, clean, local eating is good for people on so many levels—mental, spiritual and physical.”

A native of Kentucky, Ebert has called Texas home since the 1970s. She has shopped Round Top on several occasions.

“I tell people that Round Top has to be experienced because it can’t be described,” she said. “You can spend a week here and never see the same booth twice.”

This time she will only spend two days in town before jetting off on her book tour. Ebert’s book is available at Junk Gypsy, from Amazon, at all major bookstores and on her website.

Check out the entire book and music schedule for the