That's what my grandmother used to call it God rest her soul.
Its food made with what's available usually quick cheap no meat.
Here's one of my favorites had it last night for dinner.
Take 7 small zucchini's wash well dry cut into 1/4 to 3/8 thick medallions.
1/4 cup olive oil heat in fry pan add the zucchini's fry till french fry brown.
Boil one pound of spaghetti cook al dente.
Add the oil from the fried zucchini to the pound of pasta after draining stir well.
Plate the pasta put zucchini's on top of spaghetti fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese enjoy.

yummy, that sounds delicious. Whenever i want something tasty but dont have much around i always go for pan fried potatoes with Olive oil. Heat oil, add potatoes that have been washed and thinly sliced. Cook for 10-15 minutes, then add mushrooms, onions. Cook until brown and crispy.

The problem here, Sheep, is that the definition of peasant food here in the U.S. is far different from the definition abroad. What's cheap and most readily available here in the States is all processed mass-production supermarket factory-forged food. At least in Italy, cheap, usually grain-based products are STILL of Artisinal, small batch, farm-fresh quality. Such is the case in small cities such as Palermo, and I'm guessing Reggio di Calabria. America has been too conditioned to go with the cheapest, lowest common denominator of mass-produced, factory foods loaded with preservatives. This is what is cheapest here. Take the recipe that you offered, for example...Olive Oil? Romano cheese? Pasta? They would ALL be substituted for less expensive, mass produced alternatives, the pasta being of the lowest possible quality. Hai Visto? Non e giusto, pero e vero. Che peccato!!!

At one time lobster was considered peasant food.

I know. Throwaways that they fed to the horses. You see entrails and sweetmeats making their way to some very upscale menus across NYC. Again, thought to be throwaways.

This is exactly why my hometown of San Pedro, Ca (largest population of Italian-Americans on the west coast thank you) has gone completely down hill...90% of the old delis and shops have closed down and made way to the supermarket...meaning there is virtually nowhere to get artisin style goods. The new generation has really gone away from tradition and the family meal is a forgotten art. Even my family is guilty (not me personally but my immediate family) as Sunday Pasta at Nonnas does not happen very often anymore...and that is a shame.

quote:

Originally posted by Gregory Mottola:
The problem here, Sheep, is that the definition of peasant food here in the U.S. is far different from the definition abroad. What's cheap and most readily available here in the States is all processed mass-production supermarket factory-forged food. At least in Italy, cheap, usually grain-based products are STILL of Artisinal, small batch, farm-fresh quality. Such is the case in small cities such as Palermo, and I'm guessing Reggio di Calabria. America has been too conditioned to go with the cheapest, lowest common denominator of mass-produced, factory foods loaded with preservatives. This is what is cheapest here. Take the recipe that you offered, for example...Olive Oil? Romano cheese? Pasta? They would ALL be substituted for less expensive, mass produced alternatives, the pasta being of the lowest possible quality. Hai Visto? Non e giusto, pero e vero. Che peccato!!!

.

poor people foods of past generations are now expensive health foods of today - okra, beans, wheats, oats, farina, lentils, grains, soups, salads, fish, very little red meat - even the lard as a bread spread, was less un-healthy then with no processed or hydrogenated sythetic additives or adulterations like today

our corn today, imagine a kernel of corn ! is so far removed from its benefit even a single generation ago, its make-up today is scarry - even the cows are getting sick from it we have genetically screwed it up so badly

if you only saw what goes on in food processing plants today, forgetaboutit, you would lose it

we have sacrificed freshness and wholesomness for year round availability using chemicals and artificially altered processing that makes us fat and sick

i think it's almost to the point that at macdonalds it's more nutritious to eat the paper bag than the hamburger - and i dare anyone to eat those french fries when the are cold !

anyway be well

frankD

My mom used to make Noodles and Cottage Cheese.
Egg noodles, cottage cheese and little butter.
Simple, cheap and delicious.

OK, I think this qualifies: boil ziti, take a casserole pan, layer with sauce (homemade, natch) layer ziti, add small chunks of mozzerella, add small chunks of spicy sopresatta, repeat. Bake. Eat.

I love the peasant foods from third world countries..

it's most likely stews of many animal parts boiled for hours.. serves to soften the not soo choice cuts and allow the flavor more time to merry.

When i think of peasant food, I think of oxtails, and pork feet stews.. etc etc.. love these.

Hells, don't even get me started on sweetbreads.. these are by far the most flavorful meats i've ever tasted.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RoBStaR,

quote:

The problem here, Sheep, is that the definition of peasant food here in the U.S. is far different from the definition abroad. What's cheap and most readily available here in the States is all processed mass-production supermarket factory-forged food. At least in Italy, cheap, usually grain-based products are STILL of Artisinal, small batch, farm-fresh quality. Such is the case in small cities such as Palermo, and I'm guessing Reggio di Calabria. America has been too conditioned to go with the cheapest, lowest common denominator of mass-produced, factory foods loaded with preservatives. This is what is cheapest here.

Very true Greg when my grandmother made that dish she would pick the zucchini out of her own garden . My grandfather supplied his own made olive oil, and wine to drink with the meal. Grandma also made her own pasta by hand. The cheese was most likely gotten in a trade with another person from town that made cheese.

here is my fave peasant dish, even though my wife hates it. but i love to have any kind of pasta with garlic and olive oil. then when really adventerous i add grilled chicken.

quote:

bklynkid
here is my fave peasant dish, even though my wife hates it. but i love to have any kind of pasta with garlic and olive oil. then when really adventerous i add grilled chicken

Man... you just reminded me of Randazzo's.. they make one mean dish of this.

Spaghetti with Garlic and oil is a classic great choice Bklyn.

RobStar you mean Randazzo's in Sheepshead Bay?

Sheep,

Yessir! Love that place and paulie with his classic italian bk accent.
Can't go wrong with the calamah and steamers.
I use to go fishing often using those party boats at eammons avenue and everytime the boat got back to the dock, Randazzo's is the first I hit.Every now and then.. I have to go back for those calamah with hot sauce, and a side of pasta with marinara, mix corn and lobster bisque soup, and some steamers...Shout out to "the jet" where I caught my first cow of a striper.

I love Randazzo's as well. Was there a couple of days ago had the calamari with hot sauce. It was so good i had a 2nd order. I used to like Joes's next door but they are gone so is Ross. Had some clams on the half shell to, then me and the Mrs walked around the bay, across the bridge to the Manhattan beach side. Smoked a cigar as we walked. Was thinking of going to Lundy's as a matter of fact for fathers day. Used to fish the jetti's all the time depending on the tide and time of year Striped bass, blackfish, blues,snappers, porgy's. Loved going out on the boats the Tampa was my favorite the fastest boat in the bay. Damn i am rambling sorry Robstar you just brought back some great memories thanks bro.

been to randazzo,s many times myself. i also like john,s deli when down there.

The most calamah i've eaten @ Randazzo's is 4 plates with nothing else... and a take out. You have to get a to go of those calama, coz later that day, I guarantee you, you will crave it. It's better to have one handy than regret not getting one.

for us it was either noodles and cottage cheese or rice and milk with a little sugar.

Refried beans, Mexican rice and home made flour tortillas. My grandmother would always apologize because this was all she had to feed us.