SC - Late-period is NOT Medieval

[Decker, Terry D.]

I discussed this with a Danish exchange student who is living with some
of my inlaws.  He commented that most of Europe still uses few corn
products and that most of their corn is used as animal fodder.  It
didn't slow him up with the chips and salsa.

Europe doesn't grow the American Hybrid Sweet Corn we know and love so
well.  It was true over thirty years ago and from my conversation, I
believe it is still true.  This is probably a psychological block from
the idea that corn is animal fodder.

The only place I know of it being in common use in Europe is as polenta
in Northern Italy.

The history and sociological effects of corn in Europe from its
introduction as gran turco to the present might make someone a fine
thesis.

Bear   

>______________________________ Reply Separator
>_________________________________
>In 1984 I went to Spain for a semester while I was in college (the 
>first time I was in college).  They lodged us with families and 
>advised us to take gifts.  One of the things my roommate and I took 
>over were blue corn tortilla chips (in the shape of Texas) and 
>tomato/jalapeno salsa.  We were cautioned that the family might take 
>offense at the chips because, in Spain, corn is considered animal 
>feed.  That was only 13 years ago so what Ras is saying may still be 
>applicable even now in parts of Europe.
>
>Mercedes
>rudin at okway.okstate.edu
>
>
>Ras writes:
>
>Also I would be more than a little hesitant to serve stock food to a 
>gathering of nobles. Maize comes specifically to mind. As recently as 
>pre-World War II maize was considered a stock food. Granted cornmeal may have
>been used by a small number of people early after it's introduction late 
>period in Italy. But, once again, the customs of a few locals do not make
> its listing as a "feast" food valid unless you were to recreate a feast
>suitable for service only in that particular small geographic area. Even 
>today sugar beets when not processed into sugar are considered stock food. 
>Peanuts upon their post period introduction were considered food fit only for
>pigs and slaves.
>
>
>
>
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