I have to remark on an oddity here in Europe. We have encountered a number of items that are referred to as "American...". So, for example, there is American hotdog sauce in the grocery store. Now, I'm an American, but I'm not sure what "hotdog sauce" is. It turned out to be something like a combination of ketchup and relish. Not a bad idea in itself, but not exactly "American". Then there is the "American kitchen". This means basically an open kitchen, where the floorplan is designed for flow into the main living space. Certainly something we have and enjoy in American, but not so exclusively that I feel it must be designated as "American".
And then there were the "American potatoes" I was served this evening with my Argentinian beef. I felt silly asking the Czech waiter what "American potatoes" were. Are they mashed? No. Are they steak fries? No. Is it whole, baked in the skin? No. In the end, I was served fat wedges that had been fried. It was close enough to fries that I requested some ketchup to enjoy them. But the funny thing is that they do have fries (called pommes frites through most of Europe); this restaurant served those with other menu items, so I'm curious what the difference is.
But all this makes me think about the things in American which we have named for other nationalities. French fries. Dutch oven. Belgian waffles. Swedish massage. Canadian bacon. White Russian. French braid. Polish sausage. German measles. The list goes on and on. It makes one wonder, how many of these things would be recognized by citizens of the very country for which they are named? Judging from my experience with "American" items in Europe, not very many!
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:-) How true!!! I've thought some of those very things.
ReplyDeleteYou had Tater Babies! Those are really good!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting... In our three ventures to Europe, we've grown accustomed to much of the terminology vital to ordering exactly what we're looking for. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah check out how they make potato salad. My mom makes "german potato salad" which is potato salad made with bacon and a sauce out of a rue made with bacon grease and served warm. So we of coarse don't eat it but regardless it's german to us.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I haven't seen a potato salad here like that. The stores and delis have a prepared mayo version very much like we would eat in the States, but I'll have to ask some German friends about it.
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