Saturday, June 22, 2013

TRADITION vs. CONVENTION: Pork Tenderloin with Apples, Cream and Calvados Normandy Style

A tradition is something of value entrusted to posterity. We need to preserve these! Convention is something popular everyone agrees to do or accept. We need to question these.

 Go to this link for my latest blog comments on this subject and recipe!! http://cornucopia43.com

In addition to my above mentioned comments on food traditions and conventions, another tradition comes to mind...that of passegiata in Italy. In the late afternoon/early evening, in most and especially southern, Italian towns an event called passegiata occurs. People take to the streets of the center of town and STROLL, leisurely and share in conviviality with their friends, neighbors and townspeople. They add a little sociability and get some exercise before dinner.

In our hectic world today, perhaps passegiata is no longer a daily event, but it is a tradition and something worth keeping. The Sunday passsegiata is in the afternoon and includes a walk in town or by the seaside for the family. Like our Sunday afternoon family "drive", a thing of the past, this tradition would be lovely to revive. The quiet time together or alone, dropping our daily routines and obligations, would be healing, nourishing and give us strength and optimism before heading back to the chaos in our lives.

Tradition is an important part of who we are. Keep it alive and well within you!


I just returned from a wonderful trip to France including a stay in Normandy.  The surroundings instantly felt familiar and friendly...what?  everyone spoke French, I did not, I was thousands of miles from "home", why this comfortable feeling?

Normandy is much like my native New England. It felt like Vermont on the Maine Coast! Lilacs were in bloom, Locust trees, roses, purple chive blossoms, flowering apple trees!! Traditons!

Cod, cold water lobsters, clams, mackerel, oysters, even smoked haddock!!  No wonder this distant land felt so familiar. The Norman character seemed familiar too, much like the New Englander...steadfast, real, down to earth and dependable. Traditons!

The Maine Coast

The Norman Coast

Lobsters, Clams, Oysters and Crabs in Normandy

Clams in Maine

Cooked lobsters in Maine


Enjoy the photos and go to my Cornucopia Blog for the recipe and more Tradition vs. Convention thoughts on food.
In France, tradition reigns, and in the USA it should! We have it all, but need to value it more!! 

Sola Gina..

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