Food & drink takeaways – 22 September
Mushroom toast Hobbit-style, a feminist’s mushroom omelette and a vegetarian recipe with cepes for British Food Fortnight (America is celebrating Mushroom Month too).
Just some of the food and drink delights that 22 September brings to the table.
Click on the links for extra helpings.
A curated taster menu of every day’s food & drink associations
Food in writing
It's the birthday of both Bilbo Baggins the hobbit and Frodo Baggins (Bilbo's first cousin once removed through his mother) – the two main hobbits in author J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings..
"Purists point out that Bilbo and Frodo were actually born on the 1st day of the month called "Winterfilth" in the Shire calendar, but do concede that that translates to 22 September in our modern calendar. Hobbits like sausages, cakes, pies, and cider, particularly in generous portions, but above all they love mushrooms."
This recipe for Hobbit-style mushroom toast was inspired by the following quote by Tolkien:
"I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food (unrefrigerated), but detest French cooking; I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humour (which even my appreciative critics find tiresome); I go to bed late and get up late (when possible). I do not travel much.”
1931
English author, essayist and playwright – The Life and Loves of a She Devil, Habits of the House, Long Live the King – was born on this day.
"In her short story ‘Weekend’, originally published in the women’s magazine Cosmopolitan in 1978, Weldon focuses on the challenges for women of juggling home and working life. At the centre of the story is Martha, a working mother of three children, married to the chauvinist, Martin. . .
"It is, of course, Martha’s duty to provide the food, whilst Martin feels it is his to advise her on how best to cook it. Weldon juxtaposes Martha’s thoughts about the cooking she has to do with the advice imparted by Martin, highlighting the constant pressure Martha is under: ‘Martha rustled up a quick meal of omelettes. … (‘Martha makes a lovely omelette’: Martin) (‘Honey, make one of your mushroom omelettes: cook the mushrooms, separately, remember, with lemon. Otherwise the water from the mushrooms gets into the egg, and spoils everything’).’"
Celebration days
UK: British Food Fortnight (20 Sep - 6 Oct)
"Our aim is to encourage people to seek out British food when they are shopping or eating out and in doing so to discover the delights of the diverse and delicious food produced in Great Britain."
UK: Scottish Food & Drink September
UK: Fairtrade Fortnight (9-22 Sep)
Tarator is a cold cucumber soup from Bulgaria
Malian cuisine includes common West African staples such as rice, millet, and fufu (mashed fermented cassava). These are often served with sauces made from greens such as spinach and sweet potato leaves, or tomato and peanuts. Popular meat choices include chicken, mutton, beef, or goat
Unofficial
USA: White Chocolate Day
USA: Ice Cream Cone Day
