[Sca-cooks] Re: Potatoes Revisited

[LrdRas at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/17/01 6:09:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
mark.s.harris at motorola.com writes:

<< So I don't think that "It is really that simple". >>

Of course it is. You already have extensive files in your Flory-thingy about
this very subject including approximate dates for the introduction of both
types of potato. It very clearly is one above the other if the introduction
of the recipe was at a time when the basic ingredient could not have entered
into the 'which one was it' argument.

Another consideration would be the place from which the recipe originated.
Clearly the location and time of this recipe create a suppositional theory
that sweet potatoes is the winning ingredient.  Furthermore, there is some
evidence that the white potato was not a noble food at this time and place
even if both existed since the main use of white potatoes was for the feeding
of stock and human laborers.

In conclusion, time, location, format and source of recipe clearly indicates
that the sweet potato is the logical candidate.

Finally, trying the recipe with both types of ingredient shows that the
tastier version is the one using sweet potatoes; thus, the sweet potato is
the only logical choice for this recipe. Taste is a major factor to consider
despite your unsupported statements to the contrary. Medieval and early
modern dishes are no more prone to taste awful than a recipe is today. I can
clearly tell which recipe is the tastiest even though I might loath the dish.
Whether it tastes good to you or not is totally irrelevant. What is relevant
is which way the dish tastes best given the other perimeters. 'Modern taste'
is one of the most pernicious and false premises that is promulgated on this
list. It is a nonexistent entity.

Ras