[HPforGrownups] Cabbage

[manawydan]

No: HPFGUIDX 53510


Taryn wrote:
>I'm sure there are /many/ who would dispute that fact. I personally don't
care for cabbage, but >tons of people enjoy eating it (including my dad).
(My mom says the trick to cooking it is /not/ to >overcook it.) /Maybe/ Mrs.
Figg just happens to /enjoy/ cabbage.

I've always read this bit as just a bit of shorthand about the cooking
habits of many old folks in the UK.

Traditionally the method of cooking vegetables in the UK was to boil them to
buggery until they scream for mercy. Nowadays (thanks to the work of the
Brassica Liberation Front) veggies are more kindly treated by most of us.
However, there are still older people (my mam is one) who still believe in
boiling all the texture out. Also, culturally, it used to be the case that
it was a matter of pride (and even status) for a woman to cook "meat and 2
veg" for a meal, rather than doing something pre-prepared. Once again, this
is mainly with the older generation now.

So if you smell boiled cabbage, chances are that it's an old person's house.

Cheers

Ffred

O Benryn wleth hyd Luch Reon
Cymru yn unfryd gerhyd Wrion
Gwret dy Cymry yghymeiri