Earthly delights. (recommended vegetable varieties)

ON MANY OCCASIONS, PEOPLE have told me they are envious o what I do for a living. I don't blame them. In pursuit of information for my books and restaurant work, I am invited to tour private gardens and sample foods from kitchens of gourmet chefs. Further, as my entire suburban yard is a demonstration vegetable and herb garden, I enjoy the exquisite flavors of perfectly grown, superior varieties of vegetables harvested daily at their peak of flavor.

As I tour the country I am asked to share the names of my favorite vegetable varieties. Gardeners in Ohio will ask which is the best corn to plant, chefs in Seattle seek guidance on lettuce varieties, and most home gardeners want to know which is my favorite tomato.

To answer some of these questions, and because it is a great time of year to get planting, I have put my recommendations on paper. Be aware, however, that not all varieties of vegetables perform equally well in all parts of the country, so when you try my recommendations, use them to supplement your own favorite …