The Americas Gift to World Cuisine

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I remember when on a visit to India, it suddenly occured to me how much of the Indian diet depended on vegetables originally from the Americas, tomatoes, potatoes, bringles (aubergine) and chilli peppers all were imported after the discovery of the Americas by the Europeans. "What did Indians eat before that time" I asked my indian friends, but no one could come up with the answer at the time, although I'm sure there are scholarly studies of the history of indian food.
But it's interesting to imagine what we would be eating if these American veg didn't cross the Atlantic, there would be no fish and chips, no pasta sauce, no aloo gobi, no ketchup !


Newly developed blue tomatoes.



Heritage tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers.

Comments

gardenbre said…
I wonder if a bird might have eventually made it across the pond with a little deposit or two in tow ...
September 29, 2010 at 7:22 PM
Anonymous said…
Dear Barry, One of the wonderful things about modern day living is the ability to experience a wide variety of foods from across the globe. It certainly adds spice to life!!
September 30, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Barry Parker said…
Hi Brenda,
It had to happen eventually... but can't imagine how dull food must have been before that.
October 1, 2010 at 5:37 AM
Barry Parker said…
Dear Edith,
We are lucky aren't we? And to think that we can even grow some of these exotics ( tomatoes for example) in our own gardens.
October 1, 2010 at 5:40 AM
Stuart said…
I always think it's ironic that american ingredients have changed most of the world's cuisines and yet the most famous american legacy in terms of food is hamburgers, hotdogs and deep-pan pizzas.
October 13, 2010 at 8:58 AM
Barry Parker said…
Hi Stuart,

It's true isn't it, although if we consider Sputh and central America the list of dishes using these indigenous foods grows.
October 13, 2010 at 9:50 AM
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