Every ingredient we use in our meals today has a
history, or at least a story. It was
purposely or accidentally discovered, brought simple pleasures to some and
created bargaining tools for others. Domestic animals, vegetables, herbs and
spices travelled great distances to became necessities, luxuries, commodities,
even currencies. Centuries of prosperous Kingdoms and enterprising Empires, growing and
shrinking, caused overlapping histories of many nations and created a colourful spectrum of cultural
diversities, as well as some very strong similarities. Annual celebrations,
festivals, processions and parades are just a few of the great human inventions
to strengthen the traditions. The local folklore defines people with
the craft integrated into national costumes, songs, dances, and the
omnipresent feasts on local specialties.
I am absolutely fascinated with European traditions, which in a lot of ways reflect national prides, offering insights into history of people’s faith and endurance. I love it how the local crafts carry simple philosophy of hard work and mutual respect. How colours and embroidery in costumes carry symbolic signs of belonging. How every festival, and every celebration winds down with smiling faces dotted around the richly decorated table overflowing with spectacular dishes, cooked with love. And if everything else fails to prove how interlaced our values and beliefs are, we can share that love of cooking, and cooking with love as the common denominator.
I am absolutely fascinated with European traditions, which in a lot of ways reflect national prides, offering insights into history of people’s faith and endurance. I love it how the local crafts carry simple philosophy of hard work and mutual respect. How colours and embroidery in costumes carry symbolic signs of belonging. How every festival, and every celebration winds down with smiling faces dotted around the richly decorated table overflowing with spectacular dishes, cooked with love. And if everything else fails to prove how interlaced our values and beliefs are, we can share that love of cooking, and cooking with love as the common denominator.
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| Annual Fish Paprikash cooking contest in Osijek, Croatia |
At the end of the day, it is true that we are what
we eat. But, do not take this phrase lightly or pluck the profound meaning out of the
context. It does not only suggest our individual preference to meat
or vegetables, fried or baked. There’s nothing Freudian in one’s choice of favourite morsels pleasing to ones palate. We simply carry predispositions to certain foods, due to our
taste buds being shaped by upbringing based on traditions. And therefore, we are what
we eat!
'There is no love more sincere than the love of food.'
George Bernard Shaw
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