[Sca-cooks] Tomatoes

[Terry Decker]

Interesting speculation, but no real supporting facts.

Tomatoes were probably used locally by people who had acquired the taste, 
but there is no real evidsence of general use in Spain prior to the 17th 
Century.

Paella is the Valencian version of the Latin patella or frying pan, so the 
name does not describe what is being prepared, but the pan it is prepared 
in.  There are recipes for paella without tomatoes and there is no clear 
description of the Renaissance version of paella.  There is no evidence that 
paella contained tomatoes prior to the first reference to such, which 
appears to be after 1600.

Grewe references a couple of books that might prove interesting, but they 
are 17th Century.  You might check Grewe's collection online at the 
University of Barcelona to see if you can find an early reference to paella 
with tomatoes to at least set a base date for the dish.

Bear


> So locally they could have been accepted even earlier like in Spain 
> specifically . Or at least gathering acceptance as a food item in general. 
> Which would give Valencia Paella a better chance of being even earlier 
> then I  are thinking. So 1550-1600 for Valencia Paella  sounds reasonable. 
> I keep going back that far cause some where in my notes is a City 
> celebration before 1600 hundred which mentions Paella. Got to go find that 
> laters.
> Anyway last item on a long list of research was tomatoes much thanks.
> Unfortunately Grewe`s is not in the local Library yet, and I have seen 
> nobody with a copy either.  I have a request in for it but it might make 
> it here in time to use. So I am one of those going Who, cause up to now I 
> never actually had the pleasure of reading him. But I am going to.
> Da