Black Beauties, wafting truffles from Occitania
March 07, 2005
It wasn't a conventional Valentine's Day gift, but I do think it should become one. I am lucky enough to have dear friends that live in a part of the world where these elephant-skinned nuggets grow underground. Fortune would have it that 2 days before their arrival up here in the Polar Circle a local Occitanian Truffle Fête was in full-swing. and JT and Kristi were wise to bring a bag filled with the little nodules.
They present me with the bag, grinning from ear to ear. I put my face inside, and inhale deeply.
I am confronted with the most glorious, heady aroma, a combination of rich, loamy earth, wafting diesel fuel, fresh ground peanut butter, and fart. Now in just the right combination, that's a good thing.
Here's what I prepared for the 3 of us the very next day:
- Knolsla (celeriac cole sla) with truffled mayonnaise and beet ravioli
- Truffled Chicken in salt crust with 'basically raw broccoli' and truffle butter
- Pots de Crumbly Crumble (truffle-free)
Never have I received such a wonderful Valentine's Day gift; I was given an object but got an evening-filling experience. Thank you JT and Kristi!
Last summer (2004) I had the fortunate occasion to meet one of the creatures responsible for unearthing these lovelies. She is a dog named Tina, and like the majority of women in Occitania, her name is a derivative of Christine.
debra at 09:42 PM March 7, 2005 | post to del.icio.us
Comments
hi deborah,
just saw John T. speaking today. And so back at home surfing away i skipped you way. Congrats on the amazing present!
james
posted by james at March 8, 2005 07:05 PM
oh James - how cool that you were there. Leaving for India tomorrow. Let's absolutely get together in ... April. How's stuff?
posted by debra at March 8, 2005 11:48 PM
In the right combination? Like 10% fart? More or less? Heady peanut butter farts! YAY !!!
I don't have that today.
posted by Dr. Biggles at March 9, 2005 11:08 PM
Adishatz from Occitania !
Either i do not write a very good english .... Truffle means Trufa in occitan language, and trufa in occitan means patatoes in english ! lol
Best regards ! & think about the french ethnocide !
Jacme
posted by Jacme Delmas at May 4, 2006 08:05 PM
Jacme, do you mean that French culture is pushing out Occitanian culture? If so, you're right. I understood however that there are even Occitanian punk rock bands. A friend of mine teaches art classes in Sumene in Occitanian, so that's a start.
posted by debra at May 7, 2006 11:33 AM
