Thursday, February 08, 2007

When Chris Armentano called Linda Piotrowicz with his cookbook idea, she was
immediately enthused. What a great way to publicize Connecticut-grown
agricultural products. And for Armentano, it could shed more light on the
dangers of sports gambling. Collaborating, the two could serve both
purposes. For the past 25 years, Armentano has been director of problem
gambling treatment services for the state Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services. Piotrowicz is a marketing representative for the
Department of Agriculture. The book will be titled "The March Madness
Kitchen Survival Guide," with the subtitle "Recipes for the Road to the
Final Four." It should be completed around March 6. As I informed Armentano
when he asked me my favorite TV game-watching snack, I'm partial to a
toasted cheese sandwich with tomato - sometimes two - at halftime. Not very
exciting, but it's what I like. That's what I'll have this evening as I'm
watching the Bears edge the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. But this cookbook won't
be a toasted-cheese-sandwich sort of thing. It will contain party recipes
interspersed with basketball facts and other entertaining items. But mostly
it will contain recipes from all over the state. "I'm using my contacts to
collect recipes for our project," said Piotrowicz, who grew up in Simsbury
and now lives in East Hartford. "Through my work, I know a lot of chefs in
the state. Also, many state farmers will be contributing their favorites.
We'll have all kinds of things." A limited number of the cookbooks will be
printed, but it also will be available on the Department of Agriculture's
website (ct.gov/doag). The cookbook also hopes to give folks something to do
other than bet during a time of intense gambling.
"It is not new news that addiction to gambling has ruined uncounted
marriages, families and lives. It's going to get worse before it gets
better," Armentano said.
He knows he's shoveling sand against the tide. "It's true," he said. "With
the casinos in Connecticut, and now the poker shows on television and
Internet betting ... it's glorified and it hasn't lost its shine." Super
Bowl Sunday is a heavy betting day, too. "It's a day when folks who wouldn't
ordinarily do it place a bet," he said. "And some frequent gamblers view it
as a chance to get even for past losses." Piotrowicz also welcomes a chance
to highlight the many food products produced in Connecticut. "There is great
diversity in our home-grown products," she said. "Shellfish, dairy products,
eggs, meat, poultry, cheese - there are some exquisite cheeses made here in
Connecticut - maple syrup, apples and other fruits, winter squash, hothouse
tomatoes and many other things."

Farmland is disappearing at an alarming rate in our small state as
developers gobble up the open space despite considerable resistance.

"It's a real concern," Piotrowicz said, "but there is a lot of
specialization and diversification going on now. Farmers are doing more with
less land."

So a new cookbook will soon be born. Its message will be twofold: "Think
cooking, not gambling" and "Use Connecticut-grown food products for your
March Madness parties." They will taste better.