I caught an interesting "Splendid Table" interview on our local NPR affiliate with author Claudia Roden. Her new book celebrates the rebirth of regional Spanish cuisines almost lost during the rule of fascist dictator Francisco Franco. Roden scornfully detailed how Franco had banned local artisanship altogether and demanded bland standardized mass production instead. Franco instituted the socialization of the entire food supply of Spain. I couldn't help but draw a comparison to present day dietary controls under the guise of health conscious political correctness. Sugar, Sodium, trans-fat, fried food and fast food have come under legislative scrutiny - all for the common good. The thing about history is to not allow the same mistakes to be repeated. Could you imagine The United States of America without the Monte Cristo, the happy meal, the Chicago dog, Tex-Mex fajitas, New York pizza . . . . . or PAELLA? I can't. Keep your nanny state regulation writers out of America's kitchens, thank you.
http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/The-Food-of-Spain/?isbn=9780061969621
Podcast available at: splendidtable.org
No comments:
Post a Comment