25|04|2025

Today I stumbled upon 'Snow Eggs', a small book I’ve often passed by while weaving through the stacks at the Jap Sam Books headquarters. Maybe due to its modest size or subtle colour, I never picked it up until today – and I’m so glad I finally did.

The book is a collaboration between poet, artist, and singer Peggy Verzett, photographer and artist Paul Bogaers, and novelist (and, in this case, translator) Pim Wiersinga. 'Snow Eggs' is a compilation of poetry and found footage that all coheres around food; possibly the only thing that can beat literature and art in my hierarchy of things to live for. Whether cooking it, eating it, or simply hearing others talk about it, it’s truly a fixation of mine. So, you can imagine my delight when I came across ‘This culinary manual guide’, which promises to ‘mingle poetry and image until the flavour of consolation invades the taste-buds of reality.’

The book features seven recipes/poems for the soul – quite literally. The ingredients include, cloves of garlic, grated cheese, two pounds (and yes, precision does seem important here) of channelled thoughts, and a dozen grains of logic – if only I could pick up logic at the grocery store. The versus bounce from romantic, to funky, to insightful and back again. And the images are similarly eclectic; a blend of black-and-white photos, vintage anatomy illustrations, and doodles that could easily belong in a children's book creates an atmosphere that is reflective and nostalgic, yet also playful and cheeky. Flipping through titles like ‘Asparagus with cheese, and the right to remain silent’, I was initially more amused than anything, but I can easily see myself spending quality time with these poems and pictures, reflecting on love, nostalgia, and naivety.

This cookbook captures so much of what food means to me: nourishment, connection to others and to the past, and an avenue for play and excitement. I’m still reading, but I’m really enjoying it so far. Pick up a copy and see if you agree with me.

And happy Kings Day weekend (tomorrow, the only food I’ll be consuming is beer 😂)

Jasmine

Sneeuweieren / Snow Eggs by Peggy Verzett is designed by Paul Bogaers and was released in 2021.

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