LL-L "Delectables" 2009.12.11 (02) [EN]

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L O W L A N D S - L - 11 December 2009 - Volume 02
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From: Roger Hondshoven <rhondshoven at yahoo.com>
Subject: LL-L "Delectables" 2009.12.10 (01) [EN]

Hello Ron,

I remember that, due to the flour shortage, my mother used to bake potato
cakes during the war. The taste was all right. After the war this practice
was looked down upon and people returned to the traditional ingredients for
cakes.

Regards,

Roger Hondshoven
Diest (East-Brabant) Belgium

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From: Hellinckx Luc <luc.hellinckx at gmail.com>
 Subject: LL-L "Delectables"

Beste Ron,

Or shall I say "Oskarchen"?

You wrote:

My family in Northern Germany also had potato pancakes (Low Saxon *
KartÃπffelpuffer*, *KartÃπffelpannkoken*, Northern German *Kartoffelpuffer*,
*Kartoffelpfannkuchen*) as a favorite winter dish, often served on New
Year's Eve. They were made very much like *latkes*, but usually accompanied
only by applesauce (to cut the grease). I'm not sure if this is because my
family's culture owes much to Central and East European cultures or if other
North German families featured the dish as prominently. And what about our
neighbors to the west? And Britain?


For some reason, mentioning potatoes in a North European context inevitably
brings back images from "Die Blechtrommel", wonderful movie about the life
of Oskar Matzerath. In the beginning, Oskar narrates how two police officers
were searching for his grandfather. Oskar's grandmother spent her whole life
sitting on potato fields in Kashubia...therefore, his grandfather decided to
hide under her skirts. That day his mother was begotten...and so on. I
absolutely adore this movie, even though it's "dark" in more than one
respect.

Next to this, and "dark" as well, there's another beautiful piece of art,
where "Tüfte" are the main subject, "De Aardappeleters" by Vincent van Gogh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_Eaters

In my opinion, his best painting.

Kind greetings,

Luc Hellinckx, Halle, Belgium

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From: Hellinckx Luc <luc.hellinckx at gmail.com>
 Subject: LL-L "Delectables"

Beste Ron,

You wrote:

> I often wonder what would have become of Northern Europe had the potato
not been introduced from the Americas.

Notwithstanding Sandy's formal doubts regarding "what if"-situations and
definitely trying not to underestimate the importance of that Spanish
import, called potatoes, I'd like to think the lack of them would not
necessarily have been disastrous.

Instead of having to wait till the 21st century to sample noodles big time,
they could have just gotten our way a lot sooner.
Give me lamian (拉麵 , lagman) anytime.

Besides, China is now the largest potato-producer in the world ;=)

•

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