International Eating

 Growing up in Massachusetts my grandmother was a traditional Yankee cook while my mother scoured Gourmet Magazine for recipes. Our choices of restaurants were local and limited: Italian and Chinese nothing else.

There are New England foods I miss: lobster, scrod (fish of various types), fresh apple cider, baked beans baked all-day long in a bean pot, brown bread, New England boiled dinner with red flannel hash as a left over. On visits back there, I now add breakfast at Dempsey's restaurant in Medford near my daughter's. If we're lucky we can go several times for their waffles, eggs benedict, bagels, etc.

As an adult living in different countries and traveling to more, I've developed a love for many national and regional specialties, some gourmet, some peasant and much in between. I get excited about trying out different cuisines or going back another time. My husband also has developed some favorites:

CANADA

My husband has loved poutine from when he lived in Montreal. A friend, whenever she can find the packets for the sauce, buys them. There is usually a Canadian stand featuring poutine, a combination of potatoes, cheese and gravy, at the Montreux Christmas Marchè and we make sure they have a good sales day.

He is also in love with Schwartz, a special seasoning bought from a Montreal restaurant. They don't ship to Switzerland, but will to the U.S. My daughter orders it, so she can send her stepfather a very special Christmas present.

SCOTLAND

There's nothing like being in the 4th floor of a certain Edinburgh store that specializes in kilts where there's a café serving tea and scones while looking down on Princes Street. Granted Pages & Sips, an English book store in Geneva's old town, sells a really good substitute. 

 

Coming out of the car rental at Edinburgh airport, there's an Irn Bru dispenser. Both my daughter, who did a Masters in that city, and my husband, need to stop to buy cans. A few places in Switzerland and Massachusetts do have the drink, but so few that finding Irn Bru is a treat for them.

Mac and cheese, haggis, jacket potatoes, and pub food in general is a must on any trip to Scotland.

SWEDEN

Sure, there's ligonberry jelly which I fell in love with at the House of Pancakes in Saugus, MA. However, in Stockholm there was the jelly on many menus. I found a cinnamon bun that I adored. Talking to my Swiss/Swedish dentist, who goes to Sweden regularly, I am not alone. He too is a fan. In Switzerland our local boulangerie makes cinnamon rolls to order and in Argelès there's a mother and daughter who bring pastries to the marché including cinnamon rolls.

GERMANY

When I lived in Germany for the two years my ex-husband served in an Army band, we did not have the money to eat out, but because the band played many public relations gigs, we were fed. I developed a love of hot potato salad which we were served almost every time. 

Sauerkraut? 

Great the first three or four times, but after the fifth and definitely after the 25th, not so much.

I would save up so at lunch time I could go to a stand and buy a wurst with mustard and brotchen maybe twice month.  

Only after I left Germany did I realize that the butter was so good because it wasn't salted.

When my housemate and I drove to northern Germany from Geneva, we both had a long list of things we wanted to eat. She had developed a love of German food from her German husband.

CARCASSONNE, FRANCE

Cassoulet, the bean, duck, sausage and other things that is typical of the region. I suspect that meal developed from leftovers which would explain the assortment. It is a must whenever I'm in the walled city with or without friends. 

SWITZERLAND

 

Our local dishes have become part of our family eating be it at home or in a restaurant: fondue, raclette, rosti, preferably black chocolate. Asparagus in the spring, chestnuts roasted by street vendors in the fall.

SYRIA

Having a Syrian neighbor who fed me regularly made me fall in love with everything I tasted. Her tabuli and hummus are fantastic. Lentils? Oh yes. When I visited Damascus there were more delights, a garlic soup-like dish - wow. 

Now days almost every nationality is available in any good sized city. In Geneva I can find various African cuisines, Japanese, Thai, Indian (although Indian neighbor neighbors spoiled me with their home made meals), Pakistani. 

Just writing this makes me hungry. I'll sign off and see what's in the fridge.