Beautifully illustrated book that uncovers fascinating stories behind the plants we eat.

Discover the secret lives of vegetables that have shaped our world, brought to life through over 100 hauntingly beautiful botanical illustrations. 

From the humble beet to the botanical curiosity of the tomato, The Curious Lives of Vegetables reveals the important, unusual, and downright fascinating stories behind the plants that nourish us. 

Food journalist and former Bon Appétit staff writer Ali Francis blends cultural history, science, and narrative storytelling to spotlight rare, heirloom, and overlooked vegetables as a way of telling bigger stories—about biodiversity, flavor, memory, and the invisible forces that determine what ends up on our plates. Each illuminating essay is paired with a sublime illustration―reminiscent of antique botanical art―by celebrated artist Adriana Picker.