What foods do Americans miss when they are abroad? Mark Twain's autobiographical book, A Tramp Abroad, written in 1879 while on an extended stay in Europe, includes a scathing assessment of the cuisine offered by European hotels. After negative reviews of pretty much everything he has eaten during his stay, Twain sees the light at the end of the tunnel, since he is getting ready to travel back home, where he is planning to eat:
In the book, Beahrs tells us stories about both the man and the country, both the past and the present, stories about trout and oyster, terrapin, raccoon and more. The chapters include old recipes and references to food that I hope will inspire us, including the full list penned by Twain (see the Introduction).
Radishes. Baked apples, with cream.He goes on to mention about 80 more American foods from buckwheat cakes to squash pie. On first reading, the list made me think about the menu of a Baroque banquet. In Twain's Feast: Searching for America's Lost Foods in the Footsteps of Samuel Clemens, Andrew Beahrs "tracked down a number of these American classics, discovering what Twain's experience of them was, what's become of them today, and what's being done to bring them back" (source)
Fried oysters; stewed oysters. Frogs.
American coffee, with real cream.
In the book, Beahrs tells us stories about both the man and the country, both the past and the present, stories about trout and oyster, terrapin, raccoon and more. The chapters include old recipes and references to food that I hope will inspire us, including the full list penned by Twain (see the Introduction).
The deadline for publishing your post inspired by Twain's Feast
is Monday, March 31st
When you publish your post (or posts), you can leave a comment to this post or email me at simosite@mac.com. Feel free to write a comment or email message, should you have any questions.
Buon divertimento (have fun)!
Simona
I have ordered it! I can't promise to cook a raccoon though.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favorite things - Mark Twain and food!
ReplyDeleteNo raccoon for me either! (Squirrel maybe - I have two in the freezer, but hardly enough to make a stew.)
We have Terrapin beer here in Georgia. Does that count?
Can't wait to read it!
Lots of references to turtle soup recently---here and in Babette's feast (FnF). I can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteI devoured this book in less than a week! Just posted our grilled porterhouse. Thanks for picking this. I had never heard of this book.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this book. Great pick, Simona! I just appreciate Mark Twain more and more as I read this book.
ReplyDeleteAlicia, the raccoon chapter is quite funny, you'll see.
ReplyDeleteTerrapin beer? That sounds interesting. I hope you'll tell us about it anyway, AM Nichols.
Interesting coincidence, Debra.
Wow, Camilla: I am so glad you enjoyed the book. It's full of fascinating information, isn't it?
Thank you, Rachel. It really gives a nice portrait of Twain, each chapter adding a piece to the puzzle.
Simona - I've finished the book. What a great read!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoyed the book, Alicia. Can't wait to see what you will be inspired to prepare.
ReplyDeletehttp://foodycat.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/maple-bacon-popcorn-for-twains-feast.html here's mine!
ReplyDeleteMine is up. http://eliotseats.com/?p=15332
ReplyDeleteThank you all!
ReplyDeleteHere's my post: http://www.pulcetta.com/2014/03/trota-forno-roasted-trout-mark-twain.html
My post will be up tomorrow morning at http://www.thismamacooks.com/2014/03/gluten-free-dairy-free-oyster-chowder.html.
ReplyDeleteA fun pick Simona! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHere's my post:
http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2014/03/radish-soup-radish-leaf-feta-spread-on.html
My post is now up at: http://honeyfromrock.blogspot.com/2014/03/manapua-for-mark-twains-visit-to-hawaii.html
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all the interesting meanders on American food.
Thank you everybody for your comments and contributions. The roundup will be out tomorrow. In the meantime, make sure you check the previous post that has the list of the next four selections.
ReplyDelete