[Sca-cooks] New World Foods in the Old World

[kingstaste at mindspring.com]

I agree with your viewpoint (and have said so over there), and don't have a
period reference off the top of my head to send, but do have a funny TV
reference.  In the Elizabethan version of Black Adder, there was an episode
where Edmund had been passed over in the Queen's affections for the
newly-returned Drake, fresh from the New World with treasure and oddities.
The potato was everywhere, being used as ornaments, hair bobs, door
knockers, and carved for stamps.  While Black Adder is bemoaning the turn of
events to Baldric, he scoffs at the Court's newest plaything and says "...
the next thing you know, they'll be eating the damn things!".
BBC proof that potatoes were not immediately viewed as food upon their being
brought to the Old World.
Christianna
taking my tomatoes, potatoes and corn and heading toward Stefan's new hot
tub annex at the rock....