COOKBOOK WATCH

One of the best ways to explore the country’s regional cooking is through its food festivals. Bob Carter has charted California’s in two volumes--”Food Festivals of Southern California” and “Food Festivals of Northern California” (Falcon, $14.95 each). Recipes include stir-fry ostrich and tomato from the Souper 101 Roundup in Buellton to quick pear bread from Courtland’s Pear Fair.