COCINA al minuto
Havana, Cuba: 1954. First Edition. Hardcover. 210 pages. 24 x 15.5 cm. The first edition of this influential and treasured Cuban cookbook. Published before Castro's Cuba, this edition, unlike later editions, features illustrated product advertisements throughout the book. The author, Nitza Villapol, would later be known as the "Julia Child" of Cuban television, although one must consider Nitza's TV show preceded Julia's by thirteen years and lasted longer by seven. That's right, Nitza remained on National TV for 45 years as the host of her own TV cooking show - "Cocina al minuto" (Cooking in a minute). During the several decades she produced the TV show, Nitza guided her Cuban audience through the shortages of daily life with the determination to make something delicious from whatever was at hand. Villapol (1923-1998) was born in New York City to Cuban parents who moved back to the island when she was nine. This scarce copy, like many that were brought along the journey from Cuba to America, is well used - there are several pages that show the use of the previous owner. Covers are rubbed and stained. Blue cloth covered boards. Good. Item #4117
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