The Saints

St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

How did the Saints get their names?

It was Christopher Columbus who discovered the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis.  He named one after his patron Saint, St. Christopher.  Later it was shortened to his nickname, St. Kitts.  It was considered to be the mother colony of the West Indies.  People who live on St. Kitts are known as Kittitians and people that live on Nevis are called Nevisians.  The name Nevis is derived from the Spanish “Nuestra Senora de las Nieves” which means “Our Lady of the Snows.” This was in reference to its cloud cover, which resembled snow.  Originally, Nevis was called “Oualie” or “Land of Beautiful Waters” by the early inhabitants, the Caribs.  It was also for a time called “Dulcina” or “Sweet One” by early British settlers.

St. Lucia is one of the only countries in the world that was named after a woman.  It was the French who named it, after St. Lucy of Syracuse, because they were shipwrecked on the island December 13^th, 1502.  It was previously called “Iounaloa” by the native Amerindians and “Hewanorra” by the Caribs.  The names are purported to mean the “Land where Iguana is Found.”  St. Lucia is sometimes referred to as “Helen of the West Indies” because it was traded between colonies 14 times.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines were also named by Christopher Columbus.  St. Vincent was sighted by him on January 22, the feast day of the patron Saint of Lisbon and Valencia, Vincent of Saragossa.  Prior to that, then island was called “Hairouna” by the Caribs.  The Grenadines were named due to the proximity of the larger island to the country of Grenada.

Where are the Saints located?

All three countries are Caribbean islands located in the Lesser Antilles.  Saint Kitts and Nevis are made up of two main islands. They are separated by a shallow channel called “the Narrows.”  The capital of Basseterre is located on the larger island of St. Kitts.

St. Lucia is one large island about 238 square miles.  The capital is Castries.  St. Lucia is famous for its two giant volcanic spires called “the Pitons,” a world heritage site.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines are made up of 32 islands, however, only nine are inhabited.  The largest is St. Vincent, which is considered the mainland and the other eight are all part of the Grenadines.  Kingston is the capital which has a nickname of “City of Arches.”  It is known as the City of Arches due to its preservation of colonial era architecture.  It is filled with cobbled stone streets, arches and historic stone buildings and churches.

A Brief History of the Saints

St. Kitts and Nevis were first inhabited by the Ciboney who were followed by the Arawak and the Tainos, who were then overrun by the warlike Caribs.  The English were the first to settle the islands in 1623 and St. Kitts was the first English colony in the Caribbean.  Over the next several years the French and English fought over the islands.  England eventually took over full control.  These two islands are the Caribbean’s oldest colonized territories.  They were once known as the “Gibraltar of the West Indies” due to its volcanic advantage point offering sight to nearby islands.  Despite the two islands being only two miles apart they were historically thought of as two separate entities.  They were forcibly united in the late 19^th century.

Alexander Hamiliton, the first United State Secretary of the Treasury was born on Nevis.  Both islands have suffered from natural disasters; mainly devastating hurricanes and earthquakes.  The islands’ earliest cash crops were tobacco, ginger and indigo dye.  These crops were later replaced with sugarcane.  Nevis became the richest British colony in the western hemisphere by 1652.  By 1776 St. Kitts was the richest per capita.  Initially indentured servants were used to work the plantations but fewer than half survived, which is when African slaves were brought to the islands.  In 1778, the Bath Hotel was built over the site of a hot springs on the island of Nevis making it the first place in the Americas to officially practice tourism.  This became a trendy destination for the elite in Britain.

The African slave trade was terminated within the British Empire in 1807, and outlawed in 1834.  Between the two islands, 28,500 slaves were freed.  St. Kitts and Nevis became fully independent from England on September 19, 1983 and is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere in both area and population.  The sugarcane industry was closed in 2005 after 365 years in the business.  Today tourism has been the main focus of the economy.

St. Lucia has a similar history. Arawaks were the first inhabitants followed by the Caribs.  The first attempt at colonization occurred in 1605 when an unfortunate group of English colonists, headed to Guyana and were blown off course.  Sixty-seven colonists waded ashore where they purchased huts from the resident Caribs.  After a month the party had been reduced to just nineteen who soon fled in a canoe.  A few decades later a second English party failed in a settlement attempt.

By the mid 17^th century, it was the French who arrived and purchased the island to be part of the French West India Company.  The English were not happy with this idea, which began a bitter rivalry lasting for a century and a half.  The islands first settlements were all French and a large number of sugarcane plantations had been established.  By 1814  after a prolonged series of destructive battles, the island was finally in the hands of the English.  The country remained under the British Crown until it became independent on February 22, 1979.  Its sugarcane production was replaced with bananas, which today remains an important export for St. Lucia, alongside their tourism and small manufacturing.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines share a similar history with the other Saints.  It was the same Amerindian groups that inhabited the islands originally; the Ciboney, Arawaks and the Caribs.  The Caribs aggressively prevented European settlement on St. Vincent until the 18^th Century.  It was a safe haven for African slaves, whether escapees or shipwrecked from St. Lucia and Grenada.  Many intermarried with the Caribs and became known as “Black Caribs”.  Today they are known as Garifuna.

They also shared the same struggle between the French and British colonists with the British ultimately winning the battle.  The French were the original colonists to settle the Islands and cultivated coffee, tobacco, indigo, corn and sugarcane on plantations worked by African slaves.  After emancipation by Britain, the economy went into decline.  Many land owners left their plantations, which resulted in a labor shortage.  This attracted Portuguese and East Indian immigrants to the islands.  St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained full Independence on October 27. 1979.

Today the economy remains highly dependent on agriculture.  Bananas account for sixty percent of the workforce and fifty percent of their exports.  They are the largest producers in the world of arrowroot.  Tourism is also very important to their GDP and employs most of the rest of workforce that is not involved in agriculture.

The Saints’ Culture

English is the official language of all three countries.  They also speak a creole language and French Patois as well.   All three countries have a majority of Christians as the primary religion, whether it be Anglican or Roman Catholic.  The ethnic makeup is largely African and the rest are a mixed descent.

All three Saints have important festivals that they celebrate around Carnival and music festivals are also extremely popular, year round.  The music ranges from traditional storytelling  to reggae, calypso, soca, big drum as well as other specialties like quadrille, steelpan and bele’ music.  Dance is also prominent in all three countries; each with their own style and traditional dress.

Another interesting fact all three countries share is marriage, later in life.  Typically done long after living together and having children.  Children are adored and often raised by everyone in the family.  It is not uncommon to see multi-generational households.  All three Saints have a relaxed vibe where people simply enjoy the slow pace of island time.

All of the Saints have established ports that are common cruise ship stops, especially during the winter months.  This has been a big boost for tourism and a great opportunity for locals to sell their handicrafts to the tourists that come to shore.  Painted masks, handcrafted pottery, wood carvings,  honey, cocoa sticks, conch shells, hot sauce, batik and of course rum, are a few of the favorite souvenirs.

The Saints’ Cuisine

It is no surprise that all three of these countries have similarities in their cuisine; they are islands in the Caribbean after all.  Clearly they all have influences from their history with England and France.  However, it is the sea and what is grown locally that has the most influence along with their large African populations.

Spiny lobsters, crabs, conch, shrimp and snapper are common delicacies especially when paired with West Indian curry.  Other popular dishes are roast suckling pig and salt fish.   In St. Kitts and Nevis, goat water is considered to be the national dish.   This is a goat stew with breadfruit and root vegetables and dumplings they call “droppings.”   St. Lucia’s national dish is salt fish with green figs, aka green bananas and St. Vincent’s national dish is roasted breadfruit with fried jackfish.

All three have good volcanic soil for growing things. however due to limited land, all the countries import food as well.  Being tourist locations, you can find everything from local street food to fine dining.

Rum is by the far the most popular alcohol, with each of the islands making their own brew. Beer is also common.  Fruit juices are abundant, as all three countries grow an array of fruit.

So let’s enjoy a Caribbean meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Octopus Carpaccio with Mango Salsa

Salad Course

Green Fig & Salt Fish Salad

Main Course

Grilled Lobster with Melted Butter

Served with

Tania Fritters (Malanga Fritters)

Dessert

Caribbean Black Cake

We set the scene with palm fronds and shells, bananas and sugarcane, along with a rose (the national flower of St. Lucia) and a parrot (the national bird of St. Lucia & St. Vincent.) We added a brown pelican (the national bird of St. Kitts.)  We put on calypso music to get us in the Caribbean spirit and began with a rum punch to kick off the meal.  Rum punch is made with grenadine syrup, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice and of course a combination of rums.

Our first course was an octopus carpaccio.  Octopus is found in the warm ocean waters of the Caribbean Sea and this is a lovely way to enjoy it.  Cooked and sliced pieces of octopus were arranged in circles and topped with a light and refreshing mango salsa with a little kick from a scotch bonnet pepper. The combination of flavors was perfect.

Our next course was a green fig salad.  Green bananas are called green figs on all these Caribbean islands and this salad also had salted cod, a staple in these parts, simply known as salt fish.  The salad had lots of root vegetables and reminded me of a potato salad but with a twist by adding the salt fish.  It is hearty and could easily be made as a lovely light lunch on its own.

For the main course we served sweet, succulent, grilled, spiny lobster tails.  They were accompanied with melted butter and old bay seasoning.  Honestly, if you ever have the opportunity to try the spiny lobster, I highly recommend it.  It is so much sweeter than an ordinary lobster.

They spiny lobsters were served with  chip like tania fritters.  Tania in the Caribbean is malanga and goes by many different names.  It is somewhat like arrowroot, dasheen or eddoes.  The Latin name is xanthosoma.  It has a natural stickiness to it when grated, so you really can just grate them and cook them in oil for a wonderful treat, without adding a binder.  We used chives and salt and pepper for added flavor.  Trust me, you will eat more than one or two.  They are scrumptious, with a bit of a nutty flavor.

For dessert, we indulged in the very moist, dense, boozy Caribbean, black cake.  This cake is loaded with dried fruits that have been soaked in rum for quite some time.  It is often served at Christmas time or on special occasions.  We enjoyed it with a cup of coffee to end our three Saints’ meal.

As we say goodbye to these three Caribbean countries, I leave dreaming of these nations; each with their pristine black and white sand beaches, old colonial architecture and lush green mountains, filled with exotic birds and waterfalls.  But ultimately, it is the people and their warm hearts and hospitality, and the slow island vibe that are most irresistible.

Until next time,

Darlene

How Rwanda got its name?

The name Rwanda, translated means, “Domain” in the native Kinyarwanda language.  How it got its name is somewhat of a mystery.  Rwanda previously was called “German East Africa” as well as “Ruanda.”  Today it is officially known as the Republic of Rwanda.  Its nickname is the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Where is Rwanda located?

Rwanda is a small, mountainous, landlocked country, located in Central Africa.  Its neighbors are Uganda to the north, Tanzania, to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west as well as Lake Kivu (the highest lake in Africa).  The country is divided by large peaks, some nearly 10,000 feet, which run across the country from north to south.

Some compare the verdant landscape to a tropical Switzerland.  It is home to volcanoes, in the northwest, to swampy river valleys, in the east.  Rolling hills and valleys make up the low lying depression west of the Congo-Nile divide.  Rwanda’s elevation accounts for its mild temperatures, which average about 70 degrees F in the capital city of Kigali.

A Brief History of Rwanda

It is believed that civilization began around the beginning of the last ice age in Rwanda. The original inhabitants of Rwanda were the Twa, a pygmy people that averaged about 5 feet in height and who today make up less than 1% of the population.  The Twa are a people of mixed ancestry, probably descendants of the inhabitants of the equatorial rainforest.

By the 17^th century, Tutsis had established a kingdom in present day Rwanda where Hutus, Tutsis and the Twa were living.  In 1899, Rwanda became part of German East Africa.  After World War I, Rwanda came under Belgian rule under a League of Nations mandate and from 1920 was known as Ruanda-Urundi.  In 1933 all citizens in Ruanda-Urundi were issued identification cards identifying their ethnicity.

After World War II, an independence movement began.  The ruling Tutsi elite formed a political party.  The Belgian authorities encouraged the Hutu majority to also aspire to political power; they ended up forming a rival party called Parmehutu.  As the 1960 local elections approached, the Parmehutu formed an uprising which resulted in the death of many Tutsis and forced the king into exile along with tens of thousands of Tutsis.  Most fled into Uganda and Burundi.   In 1961, the monarchy was abolished and Rwanda gained independence from Belgium on July 1, 1962.

Kayibanda became the first elected president of Rwanda in October of 1962.   Shortly thereafter there was a Tutsi guerilla attack from exiled Tutsis in Burundi, an anti-Tutsi backlash resulted in thousands killed.  In 1973 Kayibanda was overthrown by a military coup d’etat, when Habyarimana became the third president.  American naturalist, Diane Fossey, who studied mountain gorillas, was murdered in her Rwandan cabin in 1985.

In 1990, the Tutsi led, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) made an attack from Rwanda starting a civil war.  The Arusha, accords were signed between President Habyarimana and the leaders of RPF in 1993, ending the war. But then tragedy struck; the President of Burundi was traveling, along with Habyarimana, when the plane was shot down in 1994.  The assassination sparked the Rwandan Genocide.  To this day, no one knows who fired the missile taking down the plane.  Ultimately the RPF took over all of Rwanda and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was established.  It is estimated that in just 100 days, between April and July of 1994, at least 800,000 people were slaughtered, mostly Tutsis.  The speed and scale of this horrific event left its people and world reeling in anguish.

Despite this massive tragedy, today the country is healing.  The people are no longer identified by their ethnicity, but simply considered Rwandans.  They still have some issues, especially with their neighbor the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where many Hutus fled.  Today the government is led by the ruling RPF and Kagame has been president of the nation, since 2000.  He has done some good work to get the country moving again and has high hopes of making Rwanda a middle income nation.  However, his record is not a perfect one.   He has been described as the “most impressive” and among the “most repressive” of African leaders.  One interesting note is that women make up 64% of Rwanda’s parliament, the highest percentage of women in government in the world.

Rwandan Culture

The current population of Rwanda is 12.7 million; it has a high population density of nearly 519 people per km or 1,343 per mile.  Most of the population lives rurally.  It is a young population, with a median age of just 19.6 years.  The economy is heavily based on small agriculture production as their main resource.  Men and women share the work, where men clear the land and women, plant, weed and harvest.  The climate and elevation make it perfect for growing tea and coffee, which are the country’s main exports.  Tourism, thanks to those amazing mountain gorillas, along with the national parks for safaris (featuring the big 5), has made a massive, positive impact on the service sector.  Rwanda is just one of three countries in the world where the mountain gorillas live; the other two are Uganda and the DRC.

Rwanda has gone green, in a big way.  They banned plastic bags back in 2008 and they will confiscate any brought into the country.  Rwandans use only bags made out of paper, cloth, papyrus and banana leaves, all are biodegradable.  Additionally, on the last Saturday of each month, Rwandans come together for Umuganda, which means, working together to achieve a common purpose.  Rwandans get together to work on volunteer projects, like building and restoration, as well as environmental conservation programs and simply cleaning up.  These two green initiatives have resulted in the capital city of Kigali, to be considered “the cleanest city in all of Africa.”  Rwanda is also known to be one of the safest destinations in Africa, with very low crime rates.

The unified state of Rwanda is diverse and not only includes the population of Rwanda but also Kinyarwanda speaking people, in neighboring countries.  Kinyarwanda is the mother tongue (a Bantu language) spoken by every Rwandan.  However, many also speak French, English, Swahili, or all four.  Christianity is the main religion, but a large number of people hold traditional beliefs.

Music and dance are integral parts of Rwandan ceremonies, social gatherings, festivals and storytelling.  The most famous dance is called “Intore.”  It consists of three components: the dance of heroes, which is performed by men, ballet, done by women and the drums, which are of immense importance and performed in a group of seven or nine.  The Intore dance troupe performs all over the world, spreading Rwandan culture.

Woodcarvings, ceramics and basketry are traditional Rwandan handicrafts.  The village of Nyakarimibi is famous for its cow dung paintings, made into unique geometric abstractions, dominated by black, brown and white whorls.  All of these distinctive works can be bought as souvenirs in the capital city of Kigali.

Rwandan Cuisine

The cuisine of Rwanda is based on traditional subsistence agriculture.  Rwandan staples include: plantains, beans, sweet potatoes, corn and cassava.  Historically the Twa and Hutus diets were high in vegetables and lacking in animal protein. The Tutsis were pastoralists and consumed a higher amount of milk and dairy products.  Even today many Rwandans do not eat meat more than a few times a month.

The potato is extremely popular and was introduced by the colonists of Germany and Belgium.  It is now cultivated there.  Ugali is served with just about everything and is a thick paste similar to fufu in other African nations.  It is made with cornmeal and is bland but used as a utensil to sop up sauces.  It takes on the flavor of whatever it is paired with.

Fish, especially giant tilapia, known as “big fish” there, is popular in the regions near the lake.   One fish can feed three or four people.  It is a family favorite and typically prepared with stuffed onions and various spices and served alongside grilled potatoes.  Another popular fish is tiny and called sambaza. These little fish are caught by fisherman in the lake at sunset using tightly woven nets.  They are fried in a thick batter and typically served with mayonnaise.

Other popular dishes are Brochettes, skewers or spits often grilled with goat meat.  When it is made with goat intestines it is called zingalo.  Brochettes can also be made with other grilled meats or fish.  Ubunyobwa is a thick and spicy peanut sauce usually served with chapati, a delicious flat bread.  Akabenz is a barbecued pork dish and is usually served with beer. Matoke is another dish made from spiced plantains steamed in banana leaves.

To drink, Urwagwa is popular in all the rural areas and made from fermented banana juice and sorghum flour. It is usually home brewed.  Ikiviguto is a fermented whole milk, that is also loved.

For snacks, Rwandans enjoy fruits, like pineapple, mangoes, bananas, papayas and avocadoes, along with roasted peanuts, popcorn, samosas and hard-boiled eggs.

So let’s enjoy a Rwandan meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Hard-boiled Eggs with Akabanga (Chili Oil)

Main Course

Brochettes (Grilled Goat Meat Skewers)

Served with Chips (Sweet Potato Fries)

Dessert

Mandazi  (African Donuts)

We set the scene with a leopard style print, as the leopard is the national animal.  A picture of the silverback gorilla was added since it is one of the few places in the world they call home, and where Diane Fossey became famous for her work and study of the mountain gorillas.  Today, Ellen DeGeneres has started a non-profit in her honor and is continuing her great work.  A square knot and a basket were also placed because they are symbols on the coat of arms.  Tea leaves and coffee beans were included as they are the main exports of the country.

We began our meal by saying, “Muryoherwe” which means “Bon Appetite” in Kinyerwanda.  I also made sure to taste the food in front of my guests so that they know it is safe to eat.  This is a traditional thing to do in Rwanda.

Our first course was simply hard-boiled eggs.  We each enjoyed one with a couple drops of their famous akinbanga, chili oil.  It is served in a dropper bottle because one or two drops is all you need to get a nice kick.  It was perfect on the egg with a touch of salt.  It is common in Rwanda to see street vendors selling hard boiled eggs for about $.25 per egg.  They are always served with akibanga, it is the scotch bonnet chili that makes up the fiery oil.

For the main course, we savored goat meat brochettes that were marinated in a tomato based sauce and grilled on skewers between pieces of onion.  Some of the marinade was reserved to dip the brochettes.  They were served alongside sweet potato fries or chips, as they are called there that were also excellent in the dip.  Both of these dishes are common street foods that you will find in nearly all the markets there.

For dessert, we devoured, hot-out-of-the fryer, mandazi. These are amazing little African donuts made with coconut milk and a hint of cardamom and cinnamon. They went perfectly with a nice strong cup of Rwandan coffee; a lovely end to our Rwandan meal.

We said, “Murakoze” (which means “thank you!)

After dinner we just had to watch the poignant movie called “Hotel Rwanda.” it is difficult to watch but puts the trials the Rwandans endured in perspective.  Afterwards, we watched “Gorillas in the Mist”, a film adaptation of Diane Fossey’s autobiography.

Now it’s time to book a trip to Rwanda. Seeing the gorillas in the wild is definitely on the bucket list, plus when you go there, you are supporting the cause and the people of Rwanda.

As we say goodbye to this little country of Rwanda, I leave you with a few proverbs:

“Nobody hates himself more than he who hates others.”

“You can outdistance that which is running after you, but not what is running inside you.”

“Real fraternity is not about blood, it is about sharing.”

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene

 Spring is my favorite season of the year. There is something magical that happens when it turns to Spring; the birds chirp their loving tunes, the wildflowers appear almost out of nowhere and new growth is emerging everywhere. Not too far from where I live, there is a mountain area called Running Springs. For the past 50+ years there has been a woman there named Gene Bauer, who decided back in 1958 to plant daffodils, one bulb at a time and continued to do so year after year. The result is the most magnificent display of daffodils likely in the world. She has a sign that reads:

This private garden was the inspiration of a story now known as the “Daffodil Principle”, which basically says you can make a big difference, one little thing at a time. As I reflect, I realized that International Cuisine is my way of planting bulbs. It is my hope that our journey, one country at a time, will somehow make a difference in your life and ultimately the world we live in. I thank you for being part of this journey.

At this time of year, some may find they have an abundance of hard-boiled eggs, so I wanted to share my most requested appetizer recipe; smoked salmon deviled eggs. In the spirit of trying something new, I made them to look like little chicks (or peeps, as they are sometimes called.) However, they didn’t come out exactly as planned. It seems that my recipe, which has more sour cream than mayonnaise, was lacking in structural integrity, creating a challenge in keeping the faces of the peeps intact. Nonetheless, I used salmon pieces for the beaks and capers for the eyes and even though they look a little funny, they are mighty tasty. No matter how you make them (peeps or traditional style), I do recommend making them, they are simply delicious!

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

This year we are having a super bloom of wildflowers out here in California.  We had one two years ago as well which is highly unusual.  Here are a few pictures of the super bloom.

If you are interested in seeing some stunning wild flowers, one of the best places to go in California is Anza Borrego.  Here is a post I did on that Super Bloom.  “Chasing Wildflowers”
Until next week,
Happy Spring!
Darlene

How did Russia get its name?

“Rus” was a medieval state that was inhabited by mostly Eastern Slavs.  However, the name Russia did not become prominent until later in history.  The country was usually called by its inhabitants, Russkaja zemlja, which is translated to Russian Land or Land of Rus.  Today the official name is the Russian Federation.

Where is Russia located?

Russia is massive.  It’s the largest country in the world in total area, with 6.6 million square miles, and covers much of northern Eurasia.  Due to its size, it is no surprise it has many neighbors; 14 in fact.  They are: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and North Korea.  It also borders the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Russia is so large it covers 11 time zones.  It has nearly every type of topography, from deserts to semiarid steeps, to deep forests and arctic tundra.  It is home to Europe’s longest river, the Volga, and its largest lake, Ladoga.  Baikal is also the deepest lake in the world and contains about 20 percent of the world’s fresh, unfrozen water.  Russia gets the prize for the coldest temperature ever recorded outside the north and south poles.  In Oymyakon, on February 6, 1933, the weather station recorded a temperature of -67.8 degrees Celsius (-90 degrees F.)  The climate is as diverse as its topography.  It has extreme winters which have helped save the country from foreign invaders.  The climate adds a layer of difficulty to daily life, yet enriches its crops and natural resources.

A Not So Brief History of Russia

Russian history begins in 800 CE, when the Slavic people migrated into the area of Ukraine.  The first United Eastern Slavic state was the Kievan Rus, established in 882.  This kingdom expanded and grew until it reached its peak in 1015 and a written code of law was established.  In 1237 the land was invaded by Mongols who destroyed most of the region’s cities.  In 1462 Ivan III became the Grand Prince of Moscow and in 1480 freed Russia from the Mongols.  In 1547, Ivan IV (a.k.a. Ivan the Terrible) was crowned the first Tsar of Russia.  1609 marked the beginning of the Polish-Russian war when Poland invaded.  The year 1613 was the beginning of the Romanov Dynasty, that began when Michael Romanov was elected Tsar. This dynasty ruled until 1917.

In between there were many significant events.  In 1648, riots broke out in Moscow over the introduction of a salt tax.  In 1647 Russia invaded Poland, a peace treaty was signed in 1667.  In 1689, Peter the Great became Tsar.  He put Russia on the world’s stage when he introduced reforms and created a standing army.  In 1703, Peter the Great founded the city of Saint Petersburg and in 1713 it became the capital of the Russian Empire.  In 1721, Russia won the Great Northern War, gaining Estonia and Livonia.  When Peter the Great died in 1725, his wife Catherine I took the reigns as Empress of Russia.  In 1736 a war began against the Ottoman Empire.  In 1762 Catherine II took the crown after the assassination of Peter III.  She ruled for 34 years and is credited for what is considered to be the Golden Age of the Russian Empire.  In 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia and his army was nearly destroyed by the harsh Russian winter.  He was ultimately defeated in 1814.  In 1867 Russia sold Alaska (almost 587,000 sq. miles) to the United States for 7.2 million dollars.  In 1897 the Social Democratic party was established which later split into two, the Bolshevik and Menshevik, parties.  In 1905 a Revolution occurred where 200 people were killed on “Bloody Sunday.”  World War I began in 1914 and Russia would fight on the side of the Allies and invade Germany.

In 1917 the Russian Revolution occurred. The Tsarist government was overthrown and the communist Bolsheviks, under Vladimir Lenin, took control in the October Revolution.  In 1918 the Russians exited World War I, giving up Finland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Ukraine.  Also in 1918 Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed by the Bolsheviks.  The “Red Terror” began as Lenin instituted communism.  Civil war then erupted.  In 1921 Lenin announced his New Economic Policy and the following year the civil war ended and the Soviet Union was established.

In 1924 Lenin died and Joseph Stalin became the new leader.  In 1934 Stalin’s Great Purge began.  During this horrific period he eliminated any opposition to his regime and up to 20 million people were killed.  In 1939 World War II began and Russia invaded Poland in an agreement with Germany.  However, in 1941 Germany invaded Russia and Russia joined the Allies.  In 1942 the Russian army defeated the German Army at the Battle of Stalingrad, which became a major turning point in World War II.   The war ends in 1945 with the Soviet Union controlling much of Eastern Europe, including Poland and East Germany.  Estimates are that 26 million lives were lost in Russia due to World War II, including 2 .1 million Jews who were victims of genocide.  In 1949, the USSR developed nuclear weapons and an arms race began between the USSR and the United States which was known as the cold war.

In 1962 the Soviets placed missiles in Cuba which created the Cuban Missile Crisis.  In 1979 the Soviets began the Soviet-Afghanistan war which they ultimately left in defeat some 20 years later.  In 1980 the summer Olympics were held in Moscow, however many countries boycotted the games, including the US.  In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev was elected and instituted freedom of speech, openness of the government and a restructuring of the economy.  In 1991 the USSR collapsed and many previously controlled Russian countries gained their independence. The country of Russia was then established.  In 2000 Vladimir Putin was elected president and remains in that position today.

Russian Culture

Although all the people who live in Russia are referred to as “Russians” there are about 160 different ethnic groups.  Russian is the official language, however over 100 languages are spoken.  The Russian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, containing 33 letters.  This old Slavic alphabet was developed in the 9^th century with the spread of Christianity.  The majority of Russians identify with the Eastern Orthodox Christian religion, but Islam, Judaism and Buddhism are also practiced in Russia.

Each city in Russia is unique and has its own culture.  Siberia reflects the challenges of the Far East in Russia with its bitterly cold winters and diverse, ethnic communities.  Moscow, Russia’s capital city is home to many important symbols of Russian culture like the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Tretyakov Gallery and their famous subway or metro system, to name a few.  St. Petersburg is Russia’s second capital and is considered the most “European like.”

Russia celebrates most western holidays including Christmas, New Years and especially Easter. Additionally, they  also have their own celebrations for Victory Day, International Women’s day including Tatiana Day (a special day to recognize women named Tatiana), Mens Day, and Cosmonaut Day, which celebrates Russia’s achievements in space exploration.  Aside from holidays, Russia also has a host of unique traditions, like how to drink a bottle of Vodka or how many flowers should be properly given to a woman.

Many families have a dacha, which is a summer cottage in the countryside where they spend time with family and friends and tend to their vegetable gardens and fruit trees.  Many dachas also have a Banya or a Russian sauna as well.  The road conditions can be challenging inside and outside the city, so tremendous care is given to dodging potholes.

Russian culture has a rich history which includes influential arts like literature, philosophy, classical music, ballet, architecture, master painting, cinema and animation.  A few of their unique handicrafts include Russian nesting dolls, called Matryoshka dolls or Babushka dolls, painted Easter eggs including the famed Fabergé eggs. Additionally, exotically painted lacquer boxes, as well as intricately designed samovars which are vessels to boil water for tea.

Russians are known to be extremely hospitable and will likely invite you to join them for a drink or a meal.

Russian Cuisine

Russian cuisine is as diverse as its vast land and cultures.  It is influenced by northern and eastern European countries, Central Asian, Siberian and East Asian influences.  Its foundation however lies with the rural population, in an often harsh climate and is considered peasant food.  Crops of rye, wheat, barley and millet, lay the basis for all sorts of breads, pancakes, cereals, beer and their famous vodka.  Additionally, a combination of fish, pork, poultry, caviar, berries, honey and mushrooms make up popular ingredients in many of their delicious dishes, along with potatoes, beets, and carrots.  Sour cream is ubiquitous and seasonings like dill, caraway, coriander and paprika are common.  Pickled products are also loved, such as cabbage, cucumbers and apples etc.

Pelmeni is considered to be the national dish, which is typically a minced meat filling wrapped in a thin dough, somewhat similar to a dumpling, and which can be filled with an array of other items as well.  It is typically served in a broth or slathered in butter or sour cream.  Other common main dishes include beef stroganoff, shashlik, which is a form of shish kabob, as well as kotlety, which are fried meatballs.  Smoked meats and fish are also extremely popular.  All sorts of desserts and pastries are beloved like pirozhki which are small stuffed buns  filled with all sorts of ingredients, honey cakes, blinis and kulich (which is a kind of Easter bread), all very popular.

So let’s enjoy a Russian meal:  

The Menu

Starter

Blini (Buckwheat Pancakes topped with Salmon and Caviar)

Soup course

Borscht (Russian Beet Soup)

Served with

Russian Black Bread

Main Course

Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

Served with

Russian Salad (Potato salad)

Dessert

Medovik (Layered Honey Cake)

We set the scene in the colors of the Russian flag; blue, red and white. We placed other items to represent the country, such as a pelmeni dumpling maker, a bottle of vodka with crystalline shot glasses, a bear, considered to be the sacred animal and symbol of Russia since the 16^th century.  A ballerina was placed to represent their impressive world renowned ballet, mushrooms as a beloved ingredient in their cuisine, a jar of caviar and blinis. We added a hockey stick and puck which is one of their national sports and lastly a few white, chamomile flowers; which is the national flower and the component in their world-famous tea.  To set the mood, we played classical music written by their most famous Russian composer, Tchaikovsky.

We began with a toast, a shot of vodka and said “Nostrovia” which actually is a way of saying “thank you for the meal and drinks.” Strangely in a country that toasts a lot of vodka with family and friends, they really don’t have an official toasting saying, so “Nostrovia” will have to do.  Our first course was one of my favorite dishes; blinis (little buckwheat pancakes) with sour cream, smoked salmon and topped with caviar.  It is simply a heavenly bite.

Our soup course was next with their famous borscht soup.  It is made with beets which gives its rich, red color.  Borscht is hearty and could be served as a meal by itself but perhaps with a piece of their most delicious black bread that is ubiquitous there. The soup is topped with sour cream and dill.  It is said that borscht likely originated in Ukraine but it is served and beloved throughout all of Russia.

Our main course was the delectable little dumplings called pelmeni.  These treats were made with mushrooms, since I had vegetarian guests while serving this meal.  They were served in a lovely broth, along with an Olivier salad also known as Russian Salad.  It is somewhat akin to a potato salad and was hearty and delicious. Another popular version of the Russian Salad is made with chopped cucumber and tomatoes in dressing.

For dessert, an eight layered honey cake called medovik covered in cream and berries was served.  It was scrumptious along with a cup of tea, as the tea culture in Russia is as popular as its vodka.

We ended our evening by watching Swan Lake, a ballet composed by Tchaikosky in 1875.

Until next time,

До встре́чи!
Until next time!
[da vstryé-chee]

Darlene

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along as well.

How did Romania Get Its Name?

The name Romania comes from the Latin word, “Romanus” meaning, “Citizen of the Roman Empire.”  The people who inhabited the area of modern Romania were called Getae (Geti) by the Greeks and Dacians (Daci) by the Romans.  The name Romania was first used when the three regions (Walachia, Moldavia and Transylvania) of the country were united in 1859.  Transylvania, which is part of Romania, means “the land beyond the forest” and the capital city, Bucharest, is often called, “Little Paris” due to its elegant arch that was built in the time between the two World Wars.  Legend says the name Bucharest stems from the shepherd who founded the town on the Dambovita River.  His name was “Bucor” which means, “Happiness” in Romanian.

Where is Romania Located?

Romania is located in the southeastern part of central Europe.  It is the 12^th largest country in all of Europe.  Her neighbors are:  Hungary to the northwest, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, the Black Sea to the southeast, Ukraine to the east and the north, and Moldova to the east.  She also shares a maritime border with Turkey.

Romania is made beautiful by its rolling hills, verdant plains and foreboding mountain peaks.  The Carpathian Mountains, although not quite as high as the Alps, extend over 600 miles in the shape of an arch.  They are divided into three major ranges known as the eastern or Oriental range, the southern range, known as the Transylvanian Alps and the Western Carpathians.

The Danube River which begins its journey in the Black Forest of Germany, ends its journey of 1864 miles through Europe, in southeastern Romania.  It is the second longest river in Europe.  The Danube is an important waterway for domestic shipping, international trade and tourist cruises.  Here, the river divides into three frayed branches and forms the Danube Delta.  It creates new Romanian beaches that extend almost 65 feet into the sea each year.  The swampy delta, made of marshes, floating reed islands and sand banks, is a UNESCO Biosphere reservation and is a protected area for rare species of plants and animals.  Romania is home to 3700 species of plants and almost 34,000 species of animals, including the 6000 brown bears that live in the forest; the largest population in Europe.

The Black Sea’s wide and sandy beaches are a major tourist attraction from May to September, with a pleasant water temperature of 77 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

A Brief History of Romania

Romania’s history is complicated and dates back to ancient history, with evidence from the carved, stone tools unearthed there, that the land was inhabited since the Paleolithic Age.  Cave paintings dating back to 10,000 B.C. were recently discovered in northwest Transylvania.  Over the centuries, various migrating groups invaded Romania.  There are five distinct periods in Romania’s history:  the Roman Period, from 3600 BC to 500 AD, the Byzantine Period, from 500 AD to 1500, the Ottoman Period, from 1500 to 1750, the Mid-modern Period, from 1750 to 1914, and the Contemporary Period, from 1914 to present day.

Romania’s post WWII history as a communist-bloc nation is more widely known.  This is likely due to the excesses of the former dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife.  For 25 years, they ruled a struggling Romania, all the while building a palace/residence of grotesque opulence.  The palace, which now houses the Parliament (but is still 70% empty,) is about four million square feet in size and has 1,100 rooms, including a bathroom plated in gold.  There was an uprising of the Romanian people in 1989 which resulted in the ousting of Nicolae and his cabinet and ultimately the execution of Nicolae and his wife on Christmas Day.  As of 1991, Romania is a republic with a multi-party system, market economy and individual rights of free speech, religion and private ownership.  In 2007 Romania became part of the European Union.

Romanian Culture

Romania is home to nearly 20 million people.  Almost 90 percent are Romanian, 7.5 percent are Hungarian and the balance are Germans, Ukrainians, Armenians, Croatians, Serbians and Turks, including a group of gypsies, known as Romas.  The main religion, for nearly 80 percent of the population, is Eastern Orthodox.  Catholics and Protestants make up most of the balance, with a few Jewish and atheists as well.  Many of the holidays celebrated in Romania are based on the Orthodox religion.  Nearly every day of the year is dedicated to the memory of a saint or martyr.  If someone is named after the saint, that day is celebrated as his or her “name day.”

The official language there is Romanian, which is a Latin based language.  Hungarian and German are also spoken and many elders understand Russian.  Most Romanians speak at least one other foreign language and many speak two or three, with English, French and German being the most prevalent.  The literacy rate in Romania is 98 percent.

The economy used to be mainly based on agriculture and still today, nearly 25 percent of the land filled with pastures, orchards, vineyards, forestries and fisheries.  Today they also produce coal, natural gas, iron ore, and petroleum.  Tourism is a growing industry as well.

The distinctive culture of Romania is a result of its historical evolution.  One way in which the people of Romania showcase their tradition is by wearing brightly, colored costumes and ornaments and performing their traditional dances at their many street festivals.  There you will also find beautiful, woven carpets, wood hand carvings and pottery.  They are also known for their intricately, decorated Easter eggs, painted glass, and painted wood icons.

Why Visit Romania?

There are numerous UNESCO sites in Romania, which include rugged stone and wood churches.  One of these churches is the tallest, wooden church in the world, standing at 257 feet tall and topped with a 23 foot cross, weighing 1000 pounds.  You will also find dazzling monasteries with hand painted frescoes.  Transylvania has no shortage of awe inspiring castles.  However, there is none quite like their most famous attraction, the spooky, Bran Castle, with its connection to Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula.

In the capital city of Bucharest you’ll find a burgeoning, metropolitan city with a vibe that is simply explained as “energetic.”  The palace built by Nicolae, the communist dictator, is now a huge tourist attraction there.

Thanks to the bucolic landscape, there is just about every outdoor activity you can imagine along its numerous rivers, lakes and Black Sea shore.

Another interesting attraction lies in Sapanta Village and is called, the Merry Cemetery.  It is famous for the elaborate, bright blue, hand painted wooden crosses that adorn the tombstones.  They are hand made and depict the person’s life in pictures and verse, with no secrets left untold.  Visitors marvel at the gentle and sometimes dark humor of the epitaphs.  It is said to be the happiest cemetery in the world.

As true in many places, it is the people who provide the best reason to visit Romania.  They are known to be incredibly hospitable and friendly.  They love to show their hospitality by offering food;  a place after my own heart.

Romanian Cuisine

Romanian cuisine  is influenced by its own food resources as well as its neighboring and occasional occupying cultures. Turkish, Greek, Hungarian, Austrian, Russian, Germanic and Slavic influences are all reflected in Romanian cuisine.  Their food is hearty and comforting, with homemade flavors built around staples like pork, chicken, beef and lamb but also combining many local fruits and vegetables into their dishes.

Soups, called ciorba, of all styles, are ubiquitous, as is the famous side dish called, Mămăliga; a polenta made from corn meal.  It is served with stews and gravies and sometimes made into bread with a dab of sour cream on top.  The soups can be a meal by themselves, as they are very filling and typically made with meat or fish.  The meat soups are often served with a hot red or green pepper that can be nibbled along with a spoonful of broth, as opposed to adding into the soup itself.  The fish soups, especially those made near the Danube Delta, use freshwater fish and are served with a side of garlic sauce.

Cabbage rolls stuffed with spiced pork, called sarmalutes, are considered to be the de-facto national dish.  Other dishes such as pork stews are made with tomatoes and wine and add to the richness of the cuisine.  Fresh salads made with tomatoes and cucumbers are always found on Romanian menus.

We cannot complete the Romanian cuisine without the mention of sweets.  They are famous for strudels, cakes and crepes filled with chocolate or fruit.  However, the national treasure is a classic fried dough, with sweetened curd cheese, jam and cream, called Papanaşi.  I am convinced it is worth a trip to Romania, just for this dessert alone.  (If you can’t wait to go to Romania, than be sure to check out the recipe below.)

Alongside a Romanian meal, wine is served.  Romania is the one of Europe’s top producers of both red and white varieties.  Beer is also widely loved there.  However, if you are looking for something a bit stronger, look no further than their plum brandy called, tuica.  In Romania you will find tuica sold in plastic bottles at roadside fruit stands, right next to the apples and watermelons.  Many Romanians take pride in making their own, homemade version of tuica.

So let’s enjoy a Romanian meal:

The Menu

Appetizer

Ovă Umplute (Deviled Eggs)

Main Course

Ciorbă de Perişoare (Sour Meatball Soup)

Served with

Mămăliga (Polenta)

Dessert

Papanaşi (A Fried, Cheese Doughnut, served with Sour Cherry Preserves)

We set the table with the colors of the Romanian flag; red, yellow and blue, which signify the three areas that now make up the Republic of Romania.  Small pink flowers called “dog roses” were placed, as it is the national flower.  We used a back drop of the painting by Leroy Neiman, called “The Olympic Mural” which featured Romania’s Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast in history to score a perfect 10 in the Montreal Olympics in 1976.  We also placed fangs to represent “Count Dracula” and a wooden wine glass to represent their viticulture.  Finally, we added a cross to designate the widespread Orthodox religion there.

We began with a toast of plum brandy and said “Noroc” which means “Cheers” in Romanian.  Our first course was a deviled egg called, Ovă Umplute.  Although Romania does not take credit for creating the original deviled egg, they love them.  These treasures are made a little differently than we are used to, by adding a hint of horseradish which gives it a lovely kick.  They also add bits of ham in them, as well.

For the main course, we served a traditional Romanian soup called, Ciorbă de Perişoare.  It is a sour, meatball soup that calls for an interesting herb called “lovage.”  I had never tried this herb before and ended up growing it in my garden because all I could find was a dried lovage, or the seeds.  Lovage tastes bitter when raw but when its cooked in broth, something magical happens.  It adds a unique flavor, like none I have known.  The closest thing I can recommend to substitute for lovage, would be a combination of parsley and celery leaves.  Here is a link to the dried lovage.  Although, I think fresh is best.  This soup is hearty and perfect for a cold winter day, especially when served with Mămăliga.  I made this in the bread form, as opposed to the typical polenta.  It is made with corn meal and went perfectly with our sour, meatball soup.  We also totally recommend the bite of hot pepper along with the soup, as is their traditional.

For our final treat, we dove into the dessert called Papanaşi, which is a fried cheese, donut, topped with sour cherry preserves and cream.  I am not kidding when I say this dessert alone is worth a trip to Romania.  It is easy to see why it is considered a national treasure.

After dinner we sat down to read what was once the longest, love poem ever written, penned by the famous Romanian Poet, Mihai Eminescu.  It is called, “The Evening Star” or “Luceafarul”.   You can read it here.

Until next time,

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

UPDATE: we are heading to Cuba on January 10th for a month of exploration in support of the Cuban people.   Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.  I thought a repost of  Cuba was in order, enjoy and watch for new exciting recipes to follow!

Cuba gets her name from the Taino people, an abbreviation of the word Cubanacán, which means “where fertile land is.” She is a long and narrow island nation, affectionately called El Caiman or El Cocodrilo, as the aerial view resembles an alligator or crocodile. The republic of Cuba is made up of the Island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and more than 400 small islands and cays. Cuba is located about 90 miles south of the Florida Keys and 125 miles east of Cancun and Jamaica. The Cayman Islands lie to the south and Haiti to the east. Cuba is the largest and most populated Caribbean island.

“Juana” is the name given the Island by Christopher Columbus in 1492, in honor of Queen Isabella’s son, but that name never stuck. The Taino people came to the island from Venezuela about one thousand years ago. The original inhabitants were Native America tribes, the Ciboney and Guanahatebey. In 1511 Spanish forces took over the islands and declared them a Spanish Territory. The Taino people were forced into slave labor and most died from overwork and diseases brought by the Europeans.

The Spanish then brought hundreds of thousands of slaves from West Africa to plant and harvest sugarcane and tobacco. (Cuban cigars are still world renown.) The population today is mostly mulatto (a mix of European and African descent) the balance is 37 percent white, 11 percent Black and one percent Chinese. The official language is Spanish and the dialect is similar to other Hispanic Caribbean Islands but the highly expressive use of hand gestures are distinctly Cuban.

Cuba was under the control of Spain until 1898 when the treaty of Paris was signed. The United States claimed ownership of the remaining Spanish Colonies: Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. By 1902, the Cubans were not happy with another colonial power taking control and after many protests, the United States agreed to withdraw militarily from Cuba. One of the conditions included a 99 year lease to a naval base at Guantanamo Bay. The lease was extended into perpetuity in 1934. After several dictators and coup attempts, Fidel Castro’s Revolution toppled the previous dictator on January 8, 1959, who fled the country. Castro spoke to the masses and claimed true independence for Cuba, the first time since 1511.

Cuba became a communist state, which caused some of the elite to flee. Having a communist country so close to United States (U.S.) shores became a major issue. This led to the failed Bay of Pigs and then the Cuban missile crisis, which then turned into a 50 year long embargo. (Rumor has it, U.S. President Kennedy purchased 1200 Cuban cigars before the trade embargo was enforced).

Cuba was trading with the Soviet Union and Venezuela as its major trading partners. In 1989 when the cold war ended and the Soviet Union broke up, Cuba entered a very difficult period known as the “Special Period.” The country lost 80 percent of its imports and exports. They lost their oil connection, which caused severe hardship in the ability to operate transportation, industrial and agricultural systems. This period was especially hard on the Cuban people. They were hungry and had to drastically change their way of life.

One good thing that came out of the “Special Period”, was organic agriculture. Cuban producers turned the declining availability of pesticides and fertilizers into an opportunity to shift toward organic production, which ended up having numerous environmental, social and economic gains. The government allowed 80 percent of their farmland to be turned over to workers. Once they met the government quotas for their crop, they were allowed to sell the excess to the local farmers’ market. Havanans transformed their vacant lots, backyards and even roof tops into small farms and grazing areas for animals. This change had huge positive impacts on the peoples’ livelihood as well as on their health, as chemicals and pesticides used in farming are often linked to increased cancer risks.

Like many communist countries, Cuba is officially atheist. However, many Cubans are Catholics and in 1997 the government allowed Christmas to become an official holiday, in preparation for Pope John Paul II’s visit. Cuba holds one of the highest literacy rates in all of Latin America and they have the highest doctor to patient ratio in the world. Cuba is known for sending doctors abroad when the need arises. A couple of perks to a communist society is free healthcare and education.

Baseball is the national sport of Cuba and loved there! They have special squares set up just so credentialed citizens can discuss baseball and discuss they do. They are so proud of their national team. One problem that Cuba faces is defection by their best players. They are typically paid around $2000 annually there compared to six figures and more in the U.S. Even Castro admits, that makes it hard for Cuba to compete. By the way, Fidel Castro led the country since the revolution in the late 1950s until 2008, when he passed the baton to his younger brother Raul, due to illness.

The country of Cuba has two currencies, the Cuban peso and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). The Cuban peso (CUP) is known as the national currency. This is what the population uses for necessities. Luxury Items and most tourist destinations use the CUC. One CUC buys about 25 CUPs which often confuses tourists, by seeing government controlled item prices that they perceive as too cheap.

There is a system set up in Cuba where tourists can stay in what are called casas particulares (private houses licensed to offer lodging to foreigners.) All the restaurants had been government owned and run by employees until the economic crisis of the Special Period. Now, in Cuba the best food will be found in your casa paladares (locally owned restaurants in private homes and made legal in the 1990s.) Seating is limited and there are many restrictions for the homeowner regarding staff and such, however this is where you will savor the delicious, homemade Cuban cuisine. Eating or staying in state owned hotels and restaurants is significantly more expensive. Visitors can choose casas particulares and paldares as alternatives and a great way to benefit the people and get a true cultural experience. Just make sure they have the proper licensing, as Cubans are forbidden to host a foreigner without a license and the punishment is severe for both parties, if caught.

The Cuisine of Cuba is a fusion of the Taino; the Spanish, West African and Caribbean. The tropical climate and fertile land produces fruits and root vegetables used in many Cuban dishes. Pork is the most commonly eaten meat. There are restrictions on seafood and beef, which are reserved mainly for the tourist industry.

So let’s eat Cuban style:

The Menu
Appetizer
Tostones (Fried Plantains)

Salad
Ensalada Cubano (Typical Green Salad)

Main
Lechon Asado (Roast Pork)

Served with
Moros y Cristianos (Rice and Beans)

Sofrito (Base for Moros Y Cristianos)

Dessert
Churros con Chocolate Caliente (Fried Dough with Hot Chocolate)

We began our meal with a Mojito, a popular lime and rum drink served with mint and a Cuban toast, “Salud.” The Mojito was known to be the author Ernest Hemingway’s favorite and he enjoyed them while writing two of his most famous books there: “The Old Man and the Sea” and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” The rum maker, Bacardi, had its headquarters in Cuba until the Revolution when they moved it to Puerto Rico. Needless to say, rum is very popular in Cuba.

For ambiance, we put on “the Buena Vista Social Club”, a wonderful showcase of Cuban music performed by elderly men who have played music all their lives. Son Cubano is a type of Cuban music, as important to Cuba as the Tango is to Argentina and the Samba is to Brazil. Cuban music is often considered one of the richest and most influential regional music genres of the world. (Here is a link, you can check it out for yourself: http://youtu.be/HaerapRPS64 )

We decorated the table with colors of the Cuban flag; red, white and blue and with pictures of old American cars. Cubans are only allowed to own pre-1959 cars. It is an amazing site to see how they have maintained and restored these vintage treasures. If the day ever comes when the Cubans can sell them, I hope they won’t, as they add such charm and uniqueness to their country.

For our first course we enjoyed hot fried plantains, always a delicious treat and best eaten right out of the fryer, a popular snack in Cuba.
Next we had the main course served family style. Lechon Asado was served with white rice and black beans in a sofrito base. Together it’s called Moros y Cristianos. Honestly, I think it is the best combination of rice and beans I have ever had and I will include this recipe in my favorites. We added a simple but delicious organic Cuban salad. The salad, light and refreshing, with a citrus and garlic dressing, complemented the flavor of the pork.

The main dish, Lechon Asado, is usually reserved for special occasions where the whole pig would be roasted in the ground, covered in banana leaves. They also sell hog roasting boxes that many Cubans own and have become a popular alternative to roasting the pig in the ground. What makes the pork so wonderful however, is the marinade called Mojo. This is a blend of citrus and garlic that is unforgettable. I roasted a whole pork shoulder that I found with the skin on. It was superb!

For dessert we had hot chocolate and churros. The churros are basically fried dough rolled in sugar and served with a nice big cup of hot chocolate to dunk them in. I know we shouldn’t but, YUM!

You will notice on my cover shot is a pamphlet called “Nassau Cuba & Mexico.” This pamphlet was written by the author Zane Grey for the New York Cuba Mail Steamship Company. It is very rare and one of the prized possessions of our Zane Grey collection. We also have his diary of that trip he took. I would like to quote from the pamphlet, what he said about Havana back in 1909. “Havana is a magnificent city of white-walled avenues, of green-foliaged plazas, of gray-towered cathedrals and monasteries; and its wonderful coloring runs sheer into the blue waters of the harbor. It is bright, attractive, full of life. Tourists of all nations are there giving the city a cosmopolitan atmosphere. A walk or drive down the Prado from Central Plaza to the Malecon is one of the most enjoyable that can be imagined. Streams of carriages and automobiles, going and coming, giving an air of New York or Paris.”

As we leave this country Cuba, we do so with hope, as the U.S. Embargo has just been lifted. Recognizing that the decision to lift the embargo is controversial, as things in Cuba have not changed in decades, I see both sides of the argument. With that said, we can only hope that things get better for the Cuban people. Selfishly, I am hoping to get a chance to visit and stay with a Cuban family in a casa particular and dine with them on the incredible cuisine!

Until next week,
Warmest Regards,
Darlene
P.s. What do with all those pork leftovers? A Cuban sandwich of course. Here’s a delicious bonus recipe!

Cuban Sandwich

It is always fascinating to learn a little something about how other places and cultures celebrate special days.  New Year’s Eve, (or Old Year’s Day) is celebrated in many parts of the world, although it has many different names.  Countries in Europe call it St. Sylvester’s Day.  Malam Tahun Baru is what it is called in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.  It is called Hogmanay in Scotland and Reveillon or Wallonia in Brazil, and Portugal.  This special evening is held on the last day of the year of the Gregorian calendar, which is December 31^st, and rings in the New Year at midnight.

Fireworks are a common way to celebrate the New Year in many countries around the world.  Festivals and celebrations also include song, dance and of course, great food.

Here are some fun and quirky things people do around the world to say goodbye to the old year and bring in the new:

In Australia, people run out into the streets and bang on pots and pans.

In Denmark, they shatter dishes and plates against the front doors of friends and family.

In hope for good fortune, in Ecuador, giant scarecrows are made of paper and burned, along with photographs of the past year.

Speaking of South American countries, many believe that, your fate in the New Year is determined by the color of the underwear you wear that night.  If they are red, they will bring you love, wealth if they are yellow, and peace if they are white.

In Peru, there is a festival in a small village called the Takanakuy Festival, where at the end of the year people settle their differences with a fist fight, so they can start off the year without holding any grudges.

An easier way to ring in the New Year is practiced in Argentina, where at the stroke of midnight they take their first step with their right foot, thereby, “Starting the year off on the right foot.”

In Romania, people toss spare coins into the river for good luck.

Dropping ice cream on the floor is what they do in Switzerland.  (We are not sure how this tradition emerged.)

In Puerto Rico, people throw buckets of water out of their window to drive away evil spirts.

In Turkey, they smash pomegranates. The more pieces it breaks in to, the more good luck will come.

In Belgium, even the livestock get in the spirit as they are decorated and paraded around town with bells ringing.

Columbia believes that if you carry around an empty suitcase, travel will come your way in the New Year.

Many places including Bolivia, like to bake a coin into their sweets.  Whoever finds it in the treat will have good luck for the next year (and hopefully not a broken tooth.)

In Spain, they eat grapes, one for each chime of the church bell at midnight.  It is believed to bring good luck for each month of the coming year.

In Finland, they cast molten tin into a bucket of water and then predict what’s in store for the coming year by the interpretation of the resulting shape.

In the Philippines, they turn on all the lights to ward off evil spirits.  They also wear polka dots, as anything round is considered to bring luck and prosperity in the New Year.

In Japan, the Buddhist temples strike the gong 108 times to expel 108 human weaknesses.

In Brazil, everyone wears white to scare away bad spirits and in Chile they sleep beside their loved ones in the cemetery.

Lentils and black-eyed peas are popular in many places to welcome in a full year of work and money.  In fact in Texas, black eyed peas are called Texas caviar.

Also in the United States, watching the giant crystal ball drop in Times Square (formerly called, Longacre Square) in New York City is a favorite at midnight, along with a toast of champagne, a kiss, and singing the Scottish classic called Auld Lang Syne which means, “old long ago.” According to Scotland.org, “The song is about love and kindness of days gone by, but it also gives us a sense of belonging and fellowship to take with us into the future.”

However you and your loved ones celebrate this New Year’s Eve, be safe and do a little something special for good luck, travel and prosperity. Happy New Year my friends!

Warmest regards,

Darlene

Finding solace in the winter solstice. During the holiday season it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle, worrying about spending money, getting the right gift for loved ones, how much to decorate, which party to attend, what to bake, the list goes on and on. There has also been so much tragedy in the news lately, with wildfires that have destroyed whole towns and more mass shootings, which takes its toll on the spirit of the holidays. One of our dearest friends, who has since passed, by the name of Dr. Charles Pfeiffer, would send out a winter solstice letter each year. I miss them as they were always a beautiful reminder of the commonality we share as humans. No matter what beliefs you hold, the fact remains that the winter solstice will occur in the northern hemisphere this year on December 21 at 5:23 PM EST. It will be the summer solstice at the same time in the southern hemisphere. The solstice occurs each year between December 20th and December 23rd as it has throughout time.

The solstice gets its name from “sol” meaning the sun and “sistere” meaning to stand still. In the northern hemisphere, it is the longest night of the year. The winter solstice has been celebrated all the way back to ancient times, all over the world. The ancient Egyptians believed it was the rebirth of the sun. In ancient Rome it was called, “Dies Natalis Invicti Solis”, or the birthday of the unconquered sun. This was a time when grudges and quarrels were forgotten, wars were interrupted or postponed and where masters celebrated as equals with their slaves. Iranian families kept fires burning all night to assist in the battle between the light and dark forces. The Soyal, a winter solstice ceremony of the Zuni and Hopi Indians, also known as the peaceful ones, is a celebration for purification and the beginning of the ritual of the Kachina season. Kachina is the presence of life in all objects that fill the universe and the spirits come to visit during this time. The ancient Celts celebrated the winter solstice with the festival of “Alban Arthuan”, a fire festival which translated means, the Light of Arthur. This celebration was also known as “yule” and is the birthplace for many of our Christmas traditions.

As the holiday season is upon us I thought I would share some ideas to take a break and embrace the early nightfall of the winter solstice. Take a moment to become quiet and introspective. It is in fact a beautiful time to cultivate a deeper connection to nature, family and all the things that matter most; feed the spirit and nurture the soul.

Here are some ideas:

• Make a real yule log: A log that is decorated with feathers, holly, mistletoe and pine needles and is meant to be burnt over the longest night of the year. Save a few ashes from that special log in a satchel for good luck and safety from storms.
• Stuff pine cones with your wishes, written on little pieces of paper and tucked under the scales, then they can be used as kindling for the yule log.

• Take a nature hike, with a journal, and a thermos of good soup to warm your soul. Take a moment to reflect on your life and set your intentions for the coming year.
• Mediate and do some yoga, perhaps a sun salute or mountain pose.
• Make a yule log cake. This tradition supposedly began in France when Napoleon would not allow people to burn in their fireplaces because he was concerned about disease being spread. So the French answered with a beautiful cake made to look like a log, called Buche de Noel.

Yule Log Cake

• Commit to one day of no electronics.
• Have dinner by candlelight.
• Make solstice Wassail; a hot ale with cinnamon and cloves.

Winter Solstice Wassail

Whatever you choose, I hope you will stop and take in the moment. Feel the connection of all humanity, knowing that we are all in this together. Know that you can face darkness with grace and faith, because no matter how dark a day, the sun always returns.

Happy solstice and happy holidays,
Darlene

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How did Qatar get its name?

The origin of the name Qatar is uncertain.  However, it dates back at least 2000 years.  A term catharrei, was used by Pliny the Elder, in the 1^st century AD to describe the inhabitants of the peninsula.  The Catara peninsula was depicted on a map by Ptolemy, in the 2^nd century AD.  The Capital City of Doha may have gotten its name from the Arabic word Ad-Dawha, meaning “the big tree”; a reference to the prominent tree that stood at the site of the original fishing village.

Where is Qatar located?

The small peninsula jets out about 525 feet north into the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Peninsula, making it a sub peninsula.  Qatar has a small land border with Saudi Arabia to the southwest and they share maritime borders with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran.  Its northwest coast lies just thirty kilometers, or 19 miles from Bahrain.

Qatar is generally a barren land.  It has a dry, subtropical, desert climate, with low annual rainfall and blistering hot and humid summers.   Much of the country consists of sand dunes and salt flats, with only scattered vegetation.  There is a small range of hills in the northwest, the highest point reaching just 328 feet.  The coastline has a number of beautiful sandy beaches, the best of which lie in the north and west.  Due to the topography, Qatar is susceptible to intense sand storms.

A Brief History of Qatar

Qatar has been occupied by humans for at least 50,000 years.  Stone Age encampments and tools have been unearthed on the small sub peninsula.  It fell under the domain of numerous empires during its early years of settlement.  In 628 AD the population was introduced to Islam.  By the 8^th century it became a pearl trading center.

In 1783, Arab tribes conquered Bahrain and the Al Khalifa imposed their authority over both Bahrain and Qatar.  After a war broke out, the British installed the religious ruler, Muhammad ibn Thani-al-Thani, the head of a leading Qatari family.  In 1893, the Ottomans who expanded their Empire into the area, made incursions into Qatar.  They withdrew from the area after the beginning of World War I, in 1913.

In 1916, Qatar became a British Protectorate and Abdullah Al Thani was put into power.  The Al-Thani family has been in control of Qatar ever since.  The country is run as a constitutional monarchy.  It gained independence from Britain on September 3, 1971.  Oil was discovered in the 1940s, bringing great wealth to the country.  Oil and gas make up 85% of the GDP.  Today Qatar is one of the richest nations on earth, based on per capita GDP.  There are no taxes in Qatar and the people get free health care, education (including higher education) and a corporate tax rate of 10% as a flat tax.  Women were allowed to vote in 1999, at the same time as men.  It wasn’t until 2003 that it was put into the constitution.  Qatari women make up about ½ of the labor force, which is above the world average and among the highest in the Arab world.

In 2003, Qatar became the nerve center in the US-led military campaign in Iraq.  In 2010 Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.  They are spending billions of dollars to get ready for it, with new hotels, buildings and infrastructure.

In recent times, there has been a diplomatic crisis due to its neighbors Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, as well as the UAE and Egypt, which have imposed an air, land and sea blockade.  They are hoping Qatar will cut its alleged connections with terrorism and distance itself from Iran.  Qatar which is known to have the best airline in the world, has to avoid these air spaces in its flight patterns.

Qatar Culture

Qatar has about 2.6 million inhabitants.  However, foreign workers, mainly from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Philippines make up 88% of the population.  Qatari nationals make up the other 12% of the population.  Its culture can be traced back to three main influences: the desert, the sea and Islam.  The desert, Bedouin culture is intrinsic to Qatari identity.  Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken as well.

The Arabian Peninsula is one of the last places in the world where falconry is still actively practiced.  In fact, this 5000 year old tradition was introduced by the Bedouin as an effective means of hunting.  Today the practice is a national heritage and passed down from generation to generation.  In the famous Souq Waquif there is a falcon hospital where falcons can be bought and sold for thousands of dollars.  Some birds are even issued their own passports to prevent them from being taken out of the country illegally.

Camel racing is known as the “sport of sheikhs” and is big business in Qatar, with races held on nearly every Friday.  Today the riders are robotic jockeys and some of their best camels can cost more than luxury cars.

Poetry and storytelling remains an integral part of the Bedouin culture.  Nabati poems, which are a source of local tribal pride, are regularly broadcast on Qatari TV and radio as part of their cultural heritage.  By the way, Qatar is home to Al Jazeera, a very popular news station, worldwide.

Qataris are very proud of their maritime traditions, which are based around pearl diving, fishing and boat making.  Their folk music lyrics are closely associated with the sea, describing pearl diving, the hoisting of sails and rowing.  These folk songs are normally sung together, as the traditional sailors would have sung them.  Each year there is a dhow festival that celebrates not only the boats but all aspects of the old sailors.

It is Islam, however, where most of the cultural traditions are found.  Traditional dress for example requires modesty by both males and females in the public realm.  The thobe, is a long white robe typically worn by men, along with a head covering, known as the gutra, which is held in place by a black rope called an agal.  Women wear a black robe called an abaya and a head covering called a shayla.

The Islamic month of Ramadan is widely revered in Qatar.  Fasting is required during daylight hours, so all the restaurants are closed during the day.  About 67% of the population of Qatar are Sunni Muslims with a few Shiites as well.  Islamic instruction is compulsory of Muslims in all state-sponsored schools.  Despite Islam being the state religion in Qatar, they do have freedom of association in their constitution.  Both Muslims and non-Muslims are tried under the unified court system which incorporates both secular law and Sharia law.  The Islamic holy days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are national holidays.

Why Visit Qatar?

Doha, the capital city, is the highlight of this quickly growing nation.  It is home to a spectacular modern skyline, one of the best Museums of Islamic Art in the world, plus a fine traditional souq with a burgeoning arts and culinary scene.  Being one of the richest nations on earth, here you can find the finest of everything.

As Qatar prepares to host the FIFA 2022 world cup, they are building at a stunning rate, adding new parks, buildings, high speed rail and gigantic stadiums.  Watching the sunset over the sand dunes will make you feel as though your Arabian fairy tales have come true.  Whether you are sand dune bashing or sleeping out in the dessert with camels, experiencing an authentic Bedouin meal along with traditional music is a dream come true, and you can find it all in Qatar.

They also have a stunning waterfront promenade called the Corniche, which lies on the Doha Bay in an elegant crescent shape.  The Corniche is a beautiful place to walk and see their famous dhow boats.  The Qatari people pride themselves on their Arabian hospitality.

Qatari Cuisine

Qatar has very little arable land, so most all of their food must be imported.  The sea provides for locally caught fish, which is always plentiful and is prominent in their cuisine.  As the country has become world class, nearly every conceivable type of cuisine can be found there.  However, they pride themselves on keeping the local traditions and foods alive.  The cuisine is heavily influenced by the cultures of the peninsula, as well as India, Iran, the Levant and North Africa.

Machbus is considered to be the national dish, as it is for its neighbor, Bahrain.  Machbus can be made with chicken, seafood, or meat.  Mutton served with yogurt is another staple, as is ghuzi, in which a whole roasted lamb is served on a bed of rice and nuts.  Goat and sheep are also very popular meats in the cuisine.  Dates are grown locally and are often served with a cup of Kazak tea or coffee as a means of showing their hospitality.  Pork and alcohol are forbidden in Qatar, unless served in an international hotel. The best places to experience an authentic Qatari meal are in Souq Waqif or Katara.

So let’s enjoy a Qatari meal:

The Menu

Starter

Warak Enab (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Main Course

Harees (Beaten Wheat and Chicken)

Khubz Arabi (Arabian Bread)

Dessert

Esh Asaraya (Sweet Bread with Cream)

Served with Karak Tea (Spiced Tea with Milk)

We set our table with a small carpet, placed on the floor, with cushions.  It is customary to sit on the floor in a cross legged position to eat a traditional Qatari meal and to use only the right hand.  It is believed that eating in this sitting position, aids digestion, and the movement of reaching for the food and going back to a straight posture, helps with arthritis.

We decorated with a statue of an oryx, their national animal that lives in the desert there.  A picture of a falcon  was placed to signify their national bird.  Dates were added, as they are the national fruit, along with pearls to represent their pearl diving heritage and a little can of oil, to symbolize their great wealth.

Our first course was stuffed grape leaf bundles, filled with sweet, lamb meat, herbs and spices.  With one bite we were immediately transported to the region.  Stuffed grape leaves are a loved tradition in many of the countries surrounding Qatar.

For the main course, we had harees, which is a hearty, beaten wheat and chicken dish, quite similar to the dish we had for Oman, called madrouba, (which was a beaten rice and chicken dish.)  The harees are seasoned with ghee and toasted coriander.  It is a true comfort food and each heavenly bite was scooped up with the Khubz Arabi (Arabian bread).

For dessert we enjoyed the sweet bread and cream dish called esh asaraya.  It was topped with pistachios and was a lovely, sweet end to our Qatari meal.  We enjoyed our dessert with their Karak tea; milk tea with a hint of cardamom; a true delight.  Coffee and tea are always served to guests in Qatar and when you are finished, you simply shake you cup from side to side to let the hostess know you are satisfied.

As we say goodbye to this little nation of Qatar, I leave you with a quote from their tourism board.

Qatar

“A land that understands, a traveler can never be a stranger, just a friend not yet met.  That ultimately everyone is on their own journey, seeking the warmth of a friendly embrace, unique experiences, new stories to share.  Where a meal is not a meal unless it is shared.  A land rooted in ancient cultures, authentic soul, where past learning informs contemporary vision.  Progressive spirit ignites new futures.  A land offering enlightenment, invigoration and inspiration through its warmth of soul and spirit of vision.”

Until next time,

Shukran (That’s “thank you”, in Arabic)

Darlene

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How did Portugal get its name?

Where is Portugal located?

Portugal is located in the western most point of Europe and lies on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula.  It shares its northern and eastern borders with Spain, the only bordering country.  The Atlantic Ocean lies to the west and south, providing a stunning coastline loved by locals and tourists alike.  Portugal is divided by the Tagus River, which separates the rugged north from the rolling plains of the south.  The landscape in the north contains the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula.  The country of Portugal also includes the nine islands of the Azores, and two islands, well off its coast, named Madeira and Porto Santo that was once a home of Columbus.

A Brief History of Portugal

It is said that Lisbon is one of the oldest European capitals, founded 400 years before the Roman era.  It was inhabited by Celtic and other tribes as well as Phoenicians-Carthaginians, along the coast.  The Romans took over the area, known as Lusitania which is why speakers of Portuguese today are known as Lusophones.

The Romans began to occupy the area in 140 BC and made it famous for mining and agriculture, especially for the production of sweet wine.  The name Lusitania comes from the Roman god, Lusus, son of Bacchus, who was the god of wine.  After the fall of the Roman Empire, a Germanic tribe took over the Iberian Peninsula and established the church in their kingdom.  The church remains an important part of Portuguese culture.  The peninsula was later invaded and occupied by the  Arab Moors for more than 800 years.  After the partial Reconquista, Portugal finally became a kingdom, independent of Spain, in 1279.  The borders that were established then still remain the same today.

During the Imperial Era from 1279 until 1578, Portugal made many discoveries through its strong naval power and established colonies all over the world.  Brazil was one but also Mozambique and Angola in Africa, along with many others on several different continents.  Portugal became a world power and one of the most important empires of the time, with Spain being one of Portugal’s biggest rivals.

After the death of King Sebastian I, the empire went into decline.  Portugal then engaged in numerous European wars, including the Restoration war which resulted in fending off of the Spanish King who was trying to take over Portugal.  In 1755, Portugal lost much of its wealth with the destruction of Lisbon by a powerful earthquake.

Portugal had a good relationship with the British Empire and when Portugal refused to give in to Napoleon, which resulted in military attacks, the British helped Portugal restore their independence in 1812.  There were many problems that arose until 1910, when the First Portuguese Republic was established which brought about the King’s resignation. The republic was ended in 1926 in a coup d’etat that resulted in a military dictatorship.

In 1933, there was a second revolution called the New State, established by Salazar.  His motto was, “Proudly Alone.”  His belief in nationalism and isolation saved Portugal from taking part in both World Wars.  Salazar always tried to maintain Portugal’s colonies under his rule and many Portuguese had to fight in those colonial wars.  This eventually led to the end of his dictatorship on April 25, 1974, when a peaceful military coup d’etat took place.

Portugal was then led into democracy (which remains in effect today) when elections took place, in 1975.  They became part of the EU with the guidance of Portugal’s most popular politician who became Prime Minister of Portugal. His name was Jose Barroso. Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the EU.  Its last colonial hold was Macau, which was given back to China in 1999.

Portuguese Culture

There was a strong influence from the country’s geography, its history and its culture.  The cultural heritage stems from the people, having been part of its colonies in Africa, South America and Asia, and its tribal history.  Many more cultural influences come from being a global empire in the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

Portugal is famous for their exquisite, hand painted tiles.  They are used to adorn interiors and exteriors of houses, churches, palaces and other buildings. Originally of Muslim origin, the production of tiles began in the 15^th century but reached its peak in the 18^th century, with their famous blue and white tiles.  The train station in Porto tells the story of the city in grand style, with the use of these tiles.

Portugal is also known for the introduction of Manueline Architecture, a style that featured elements inspired by the sea and by symbols of Royal power, such as armillary spheres, which is the national symbol featured on their flag.  The Jeronimos Monastery and The Belem Tower are good examples of this architectural style but Manueline style buildings and features can be found all over the country.  Baroque and Romanesque styles also abound.

Fado is a type of music that has was named by the World Heritage as part of Intangibles. The history of Fado dates back to the 1820’s and 30’s however some believe it may have much earlier origins.  It is a form of song that is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics.  The Portuguese word saudade which means longing, symbolizing a feeling of loss.  Fado performers were typically sailors, bohemians and courtesans who not only sang but also danced.  Today, it is performed as just song, without the dance.  In recent years, Amalia Rodrigues, known as the “Queen of Fado,” is credited with making Fado popular throughout the world.  Taking in Fado is very popular with tourists, especially in Lisbon, and why not?  It is an important part of Portugal’s culture.

Portugal has no official religion, as the church and state were formally separated during the Portuguese First Republic in 1910.  However nearly 81% of the population is Catholic and important traditions have a significant bearing in Portuguese society and culture. The official language is Portuguese, considered a Romance Language. A direct descendant of Latin, however many speak English, French and Spanish as well.

Why Visit Portugal?

The country itself, with its long coastline and most of the cities and population living along it, make Portugal one of the prettiest countries in the world.  Each city and village has immense history as it is considered to be the oldest in all of Europe. Lisbon. the capital, has become a vibrant modern city, and to deal with its extremely hilly street levels, has installed elevators downtown to transport people up and down some 45 meters.  The lifts are disguised inside buildings on the low end of the city, so it is good to learn where to find them.

The architecture and signature black and white tiles and cobble stones, that line the streets make it picture perfect.  It is home to 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites.  One of them is the oldest, continuously operated, University in the world, established in 1290.  In Lisbon, you can find the oldest operating bookstore in the world.  Bertrand Bookshop, was established in 1732.  It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755 but has been in its current location since 1773.

Portugal is also known for exceptional surfing with 364 days of surfing each year.  Home to the largest wave ever surfed, it was an incredible 80 feet high.  Portugal is also the largest cork producer in the world, supplying nearly 70% of the world’s cork.  Needless to say, they are not happy with the screw on caps that have recently become popular for wine.  They are innovative however, making cork into belts, purses, shoes and the like.  There is a beautiful monastery near the town of Sintra that is made from cork.  The whole town of Sintra is a UNESCO site and simply like a fairytale that should not be missed on a trip to Portugal. It is filled with castles, palaces, churches and parks that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.

Did I mention the wine, famous for Port and Madeira, as well as Vinho Verde, my personal favorite?  You will also find bottles of ginja, a liqueur that people make themselves from ginja berries (sour cherries) and store in bottles.  The country is a wine-lover’s paradise.  A trip down the Douro River Valley, where most of the wine is made, is popular with tourists.  Of course, the Portuguese people are friendly and welcoming and are probably the biggest reason to visit, although the food is a close second.

Portuguese Cuisine

The cuisine get its roots from ingredients obtained through trade routes established centuries ago.  Bread, rice, spices, pastries, sausages and seafood, especially cod, remain the staples of many Portuguese meals.  It is often referred to as peasant food, although it is now becoming a gourmand’s destination.  The Portuguese get the credit for introducing tempura to Japan, tea to the British and hot chilies to Asia.

Many of their pastries are made with sugar, which started arriving in the 15^th century, originally from the island of Madeira and later from Brazil.  A visit to a Pasteleria is a must.  Interestingly, the pastries are made with lots of egg yolks, to include their most famous pastry, Pais de nata.  It is said that the nuns used the egg whites to starch their habits and preserve wine, so they had an abundance of egg yolks, with which they masterfully crafted into pastries.

The sausages are also famous and butcher shops all over are stuffed with cases filled with an array of sausages, along with legs of cured ham.  Chourico is a spicy sausage, used in many soups and stews, like their famous caldo verde.  Morcela, a blood sausage, is also extremely popular.  You will also find assortments of delicious cheeses, many made from sheep’s milk that are prepared using an ancient method of coagulating the milk with thistle flower.  Olives and olive oil are also exceptional products coming from Portugal.

Spices from all over the world are also used in their cuisine but it is probably the abundant use of seafood, that is most renown. The Portuguese are one of the top countries in the world when it comes to seafood consumption.  It is said that there are over 1000 Portuguese recipes that use salt cod as the main ingredient.  Sardines are also loved.  They even have a month long sardine festival that is held each year when they are the most abundant.  A couple of other dishes that should be mentioned is bifana, a pork sandwich that is a specialty, as is francesinha, a sandwich covered in a hot thick tomato and beer sauce.  Oh and their beer is highly regarded too.  They will tell you Super Bock is the best beer in the world.

So let’s enjoy a Portuguese meal:

The Menu

Starter

Peixinhos da horta (Fried Green Beans)

Soup Course

Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup)

Salad Course

Salada de Polvo (Octopus Salad)

Main Course

Bacalhau a Bras (Salted Cod with Eggs)

Dessert 

Pais de Nata (Egg Custard Tart)

We set the scene in the classic blue and white dishes for which they are famous.  We placed several ships to represent there impressive naval exploration. They have a history of great explorers, like Ferdinand Magellan, the first person to circumvent the globe and Vasco de Gama, who discovered the sea route to India.  Bartholomew Diaz, was the first to sail around the southern tip of Africa and others who discovered new lands like Brazil, parts of Africa and the Far-East, claiming them for the Portuguese Empire.  A can of sardines was set in place, as was an olive branch, a cork, a cross and a good bottle of port wine.  We put on some soft Fado music to complete the mood.

We said Saude which means Cheers, and toasted with a taste of port.  We began our meal with fried green beans, that were battered.  This is the original tempura that was introduced to the Japanese, which the Japanese later embellished.  The name Peixinhos da horta, literally translated means, little fish from the garden.  The name comes from the end result of the fried beans resembling slender, fried fish.  We loved them as our first course.

Next, was the famous caldo verde or Portuguese kale soup.  It is literally my husband’s favorite soup and therefore had to be included in the meal.  It is hearty and the flavor superb, especially with the chucks of chourico and linguisa sausages.

Next we enjoyed the main course, Bacalhau a Bras, a salted cod with eggs and potatoes.  This recipe was given to me by our guide in Sintra named Lidia.  After many inquiries during our trip to Portugal, this was the dish that nearly everyone told me to make as the main course for the Portuguese meal.  It  is lovely and the combination of flavors; comforting and delicious.

It was served alongside a octopus salad, as octopus is another much loved seafood.  This Portuguese version was excellent with red onion, sun dried tomatoes, coriander and lime.  I could eat this everyday!

Lastly, we just had to indulge in the famous pais de nata, the famous egg custard tart, that was sublime, and went perfectly with a shot of espresso called um bica, literally a shot of only 2-3 ozs.

As we say goodbye to this beautiful and intriguing county, I leave you with some Fado lyrics, which cannot be explained but must be felt and experienced.

Is both mine and yours this Fado

Destiny that tides us (together)

No matter how much it is denied

By the stings of a guitar

Whenever one hears a lament

of a guitar singing

one is instanly lost

with a desire to weep

Oh people of my land

Now I understand

This sadness which I carry on

Was from you that I received

And it would seem tenderness

If l let myself be soothed

My anguish would be greater

My singing would be less sadder

Oh people of my land

Lyrics by Mariza, an international Fado star

Until next time,

Abrigada (thank you, in Portuguese)

Darlene

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.