Onion Rings In Italy: Cooking As A Cultural Exchange
Image: HenryFigueroa.
As the smell of freshly cut onions filled the kitchen, her face contorted in disgust. She didn't like onions, she said. As an ambassador for American fried food, I had my work cut out for me.
Over the past weeks, Francesco and Faby had not only been hosting us, but had been cooking their hearts out for us. We ate only Italian food every night; they wanted to show us the best they had to offer. When it was pizza night, I tried to learn how to make dough the Italian way. Other nights I would just watch and try to pick up bits and pieces to take home with me. After a while, I got restless. I wasn't satisfied with being a passive consumer, I wanted to repay my friends in kind and show them a little bit of my own cuisine (and give them a night off from cooking.)
Out of everything I could have chosen, I selected for my menu only the healthiest of American cuisine: onion rings and french fries. Admittedly this was an impromptu menu as my grocery selection was somewhat limited. My choices, of course, did nothing to combat the stereotype that all Americans eat is fried food.
Our cooking vessel, a medium sized pot named Charles, was a little small for the task of frying for four people, but this extended cooking time actually worked out in our favor. It gave us time to relax, show our friends the secrets of double frying, and for the smell of frying food to work its magic. At the end of it all, even the self-professed onion hater was a convert. Faby loved the onion rings so much, she demanded that I show her how to make them again! Then, with her newfound knowledge, she proceeded to whip up another batch, which everyone happily devoured. What started as a simple meal turned into something more profound: a sharing of knowledge, culture, and goodwill.
Cooking is an act that surpasses almost all forms of ambassadorship. It gets to the heart of a culture quicker than almost anything else, attacking all the senses at once and breaking down barriers of understanding. My experience is but one part of a larger picture; I want to know about other folks' experiences cooking abroad. What were you able to share? Have you ever had someone from another culture visit and cook for you? Let me know in the comments below, I'm eager to hear your stories.
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so post the recipe :)
Hi Austin,
we'd like to share our experience.
We had a couple of friends visiting us from America, for whom we cooked as much as we could to let them know what's the italian way of cooking and eating for real.
It was a great experience, and a great pleasure, since they spent most of their days willing to share their time along with us, and, as you said, their knowledges and culture.
We learned a lot, as well, on how to feel fine all together, even if you're not used to stay along with them the rest of the year.
It was a great 3 weeks experience. And we'd like to have it again soon.
Oh, and by the way: accidentally their names are Kelly and Austin ;)
I had two foreign exchange students living with me last summer. They got plenty of American food, but I also asked each of them if they would be willing to cook a meal from their country. Our Czech student brought another Czech student and they worked together to fix a lovely meal of pork, potatoes, sauerkraut, and dumplings. Then they fixed strawberry dumplings for dessert. Another time she fixed us a Czech potato salad.
Our Japanese student paired up with another Japanese student and they fixed a wonderful meal with Miso soup, a number of different Japanese dishes including tempura and some rice dishes. I can't remember them all. They put together a menu for us to explain everything.
We all had a great time.