Florida. What I eat with family.

I wish I could tell you about the food here. Good or bad, mediocre or spectacular. But for me, here, it's not about food. I try and eat well, I attempt to educate without preaching, but it's a very difficult proposition.

I eat here what comforts. What is familiar and familial. I eat what is in season in my heart: Jewish renditions with American ingredients. I eat what I ate when I lived with my grandparents in high school.

Today I sat with Nanny (Eve Gordon, my maternal grandmother) and she said how wonderful it was that she could eat her food because now her family made her dishes. Kasha Varnishkas, Noodle Kugle, Stuffed Cabbage (sweet & sour), Brisket. And for an in-between snack we schmear matzoh with whipped sweet butter.

We eat Italian American favorites because in NYC and Long Island, where my mother and her family grew up, Jews live side by side with Italians and eggplant parmigiana is as much a staple as matzoh ball soup.

This week is not about food, per se, but it is about nourishment.

Comments

[Greg Turner]

I love the idea of food vs. nourishment. This is a lovely, deceptively thought-provoking post.

/Thank you for noticing the details. ~sfl

[Aran]

That last sentence gave me goose bumps. beautifully said.

[anita]

thanks for the pretty postcard.

there's something undeniably charming about spending holidays in sunny climes.

[WILLY]

Reminded me of the yearly vacations at the inlaws in Daytona and relishing whatever was on the table because I had to stop going to the Grocery Store with my mother inlaw and seeing how bad the quality and variety of produce was being offered...Hope where you are the quality is better..

[shelly]

Oh yeah, Breakstone's K for P whipped butter on matza with a sprinkling of salt. Mmmmm. Memories.

[Tartelette]

Sitting at my parents and grandparents table is nourrishment indeed. The food is there, special or casual but my heart is always fuller than my stomach. Enjoy your time!