Tag: united

Hush puppies, the corn fritters of the southern United States – Italian Cuisine

Corn pancakes with the unusual name hush puppies (silence, puppies!), Are a traditional dish of soul food, the cuisine of the African American community typical of the southern United States

The hush puppies are a famous traditional dish of the so-called "kitchen of the soul" (soul food), or the cuisine of the Afro-American community of southern United States. The recipe consists of soft round-shaped corn fritters prepared with corn flour and a few other ingredients and generally served as an accompaniment to fish dishes (above all fried catfish) or seafood or the classic fried chicken. Like other dishes of the soul culinary tradition, these corn fritters have distant origins, and are a poor and simple dish to prepare and at the same time rich in taste and history.

Recipe and characteristics of hush puppies

The main ingredient of these pancakes is corn flour, an ingredient historically used in many traditional dishes of the so-called poor kitchen, just think of our local polenta or Mexican tortillas. It is no coincidence that this poor and versatile ingredient is used in many popular soul food recipes. As the Corn bread which is widespread in the southern United States and which is generally prepared with a batter containing corn flour, wheat flour, eggs, milk and animal fat. The ingredients used for the traditional basic recipe of hush puppies instead are corn flour, wheat flour, milk or buttermilk, eggs, salt, a pinch of baking soda and onion, but spices or other seasonings can also be added, including garlic, chopped fresh onion, peppers, black pepper, chili or corn kernels. To prepare the pancakes, simply mix the liquid ingredients (eggs and milk) and add them to the previously mixed dry ones; once the creamy batter is ready, simply shape it with a spoon to make small balls the size of a golf ball and then proceed with frying in hot oil or preheated fat. The result must be golden, fragrant and pleasantly crunchy.

The story of small "dog silences" pancakes

The unusual name of this dish, which can be translated as "silence, puppies!" it is closely linked to the story that is told about its origin. In fact, it would seem that the birth of corn fritters dates back to period of the Civil War. It is said that at the time the Confederate soldiers ate large quantities of it, as it was easy and quick to prepare during the camps, and that they threw it at the dogs to keep them at bay and stop them barking, particularly during attacks by the side. of enemy troops. There are also similar versions of the story whose protagonists, instead of soldiers, are hunters, fishermen or slaves on the run. Whatever the origin of the name and the dish, what we know is that nowadays there are several local and regional variants (including those that involve baking or different shapes and ingredients) and that there are several countries in the south of the United States that claim its origin.

Photo: Hush_puppies_frittelle_Commons Wikipedia.jpg
Photo: Hush_puppies_cornmeal pancakes_Flickr_Dan.jpg

Incoming search terms:

https://gordon-ramsay-recipe com/recipes-of-italian-cuisine/hush-puppies-the-corn-fritters-of-the-southern-united-states-italian-cuisine html

Barilla and Fabio Volo united to support the bodies involved in the Covid-19 emergency – Italian Cuisine

Barilla is sponsor of Fabio Volo's new live format, The Orchite Show, together to donate the sum of 100,000 euros to entities engaged in the protection and support of local communities severely affected by the coronavirus

A beneficial sponsorship, that of Barilla who wanted to support The Orchite Show, the new live project on Instagram by Fabio Volo; a light and home-made format designed to keep the public company during these delicate weeks.

The Orchite Show

A project with an ironic title, inspired by the feeling of dissatisfaction that accompanied this period. A spontaneous, sincere program with great guests, VIPs, singers, actors, chefs and the super star of the show, Mrs. Annamaria, a very nice pensioner who with her genuine laugh has conquered everyone. Among the many characters who participated in The Orchite Show also star chef Davide Oldani, who shared his simple and delicious recipe, with Barilla spaghetti n.5 and a tasty Piennolo cherry tomato sauce.

And the laughter never ends, with the funny videos that cheered us in this quarantine, the irony of Fabio Volo from Brescia and the most electrifying comments from the listeners. A program that enters the homes of Italians with cakes and candles to blow out, pajama parties, improvised weddings, funny jokes and in every episode the moment of gratitude with the column thank you, graziella and thanks to … all doctors, nurses, radiologists and professionals committed daily to fighting the emergency, bringing them a little energy, positivity and a moment of light-heartedness.

Barilla and Fabio Volo: a charity project

The heartfelt and familiar nature of the creative format makes its breakthrough in the heart of Barilla, which fully reflects the spirit of #aCasaConBarilla, the leitmotiv of the story proposed by the company since the beginning of this emergency, to keep people lightly company and creativity on social networks.
And it is precisely the desire to try to transform this particular and in some ways painful moment into something more positive, which has led to the consolidation of the collaboration between Fabio Volo and Barilla, in order to define further socio-humanitarian projects to support organizations and associations engaged in the front line to deal with the Covid-19 emergency and, in particular, the choice of Barilla, in agreement with the author, of donate the sum of 100,000 euros to entities engaged in the protection and support of local communities.

Guest of honor of thelast episode, online from Sunday 24 May, it will be Luca Barilla, vice president of the Group. During his speech, he will be the protagonist of the ceremony signing a special check prepared by the show; a symbolic rite with which to give voice to the company's donation.
Fabio Volo wanted to thank Barilla for supporting the project and, in an atmosphere of sincere and mutual respect, Luca Barilla also underlined the immense gratitude and enthusiasm that accompanied this perhaps unusual, but decidedly energetic and precious union.
"For many years Fabio Volo has been filling some areas of Italian life with his delightful company, and in this difficult moment for everyone, we are happy to join him by supporting his program born with the aim of giving a concrete hand to those who need it most, "he said Luca Barilla, Group vice president.
"When I started The Orchite show, a program that was born as a game, I could never have imagined that such an important, large and serious company could be interested in supporting such a project. I am honored, flattered and happy that laughing and joking we will be able to do something concrete for the families who need it. A program born in the kitchen that with the help of Barilla helps families I would say it is perfect! " commented Fabio Volo.

The donation of 100,000 euros it will be half donated to Food Bank and half as an offer to the charitable activity of theApostolic almsgiving, to support the country and people in difficulty. Moved by the desire to be close to Italy, Barilla is always at work to find new ways to enter the homes of Italians and bring them many great news, not to be missed.

Strange but true, these foods are illegal in the United States – Italian Cuisine

Strange but true, these ten foods are considered illegal in the United States: from Kinder eggs to foie gras to Sardinian cheese casu marzu

In the United States the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has the responsibility to ensure that the food that is purchased in restaurants and supermarkets is not harmful to consumer health. Over the years the association has therefore drawn up one list of harmful foods and therefore banned in the United States, of which both the sale and the import from abroad are considered illegal. Let's go then to discover, among American foods and other foreign specialties, ten of the foods that are not allowed in the United States, including our Sardinian cheese casu marzu.

1. Kinder Surprise Eggs

Surprisingly, it is appropriate to say, the list also includes Ovetti Kinder, one of the most popular chocolate sweets for Italian children. In fact, according to US law, edible food is the cause risk of suffocation, it cannot contain inedible products, as in this case the famous plastic egg containing the surprise. The only exception, starting in 2017, was made for the summer version of the Kinder snack, a product that presents chocolate and surprise carefully separated and also designed by Ferrero to enter the US market.

2. Casu Marzu

A little less surprising is the presence of casu marzu, the so-called Sardinian "cheese with worms", whose production and sale is currently prohibited in Italy. This cheese with the larvae, with its decidedly characteristic and slightly spicy flavor, is sometimes sold under the table in Italy, but it cannot be found in the United States

3. Sassofrass oil

This shrubby plant, typical of North America, has been known since the time of the Native Americans since its bark, once used to treat diseases such as fever and rheumatism, produces an essential oil used for soaps and for flavoring drinks. Otherwise, sassafras oil contains chemicals, including safrole, which are considered harmful and carcinogenic, and this is why the product has been banned since the 1960s.

4. Ackee fruit

Ackee is a fruit of African origin is especially loved in Jamaica, where not only is it considered the national fruit but it is also the basis of one of the most popular traditional recipes. Well, this oddly shaped fruit that resembles that of a brain more actually is extremely dangerous. If consumed unripe, in fact, it releases a toxin that can cause forms of rather serious poisoning, with symptoms such as vomiting and dehydration, and in some cases even lead to coma or death. The import of this fruit was banned by the FDA in 1973, but it is still possible to buy carefully controlled canned or frozen fruit.

5. Absinthe

This alcoholic beverage has been completely banned in the United States, while since 2007 the government has allowed its importation only as long as it does not contain the famous hallucinogenic psychoactive principle.

6. Haggis

Scottish food lovers living or traveling in the United States will certainly be disappointed to discover that haggis, one of the typical dishes in Scotland, is prohibited in the American territory. This recipe consists of a soup containing bits of various internal organs of sheep combined with oat flakes, chopped onion, lard, broth, various spices and salt, all boiled inside the animal's stomach, and although the ingredients may making a little impression, in the mother country is considered a delicacy. But making it a dish banished in America is the presence of sheep lung, considered an inedible and dangerous organ because of the possible chronic degenerative pathologies of which the animal can be affected.

7. Puffer fish

This fish, also known as "fugu"Is forbidden in almost all the US territory, as well as in many countries of the world, because if handled in the wrong way during the preparation the extremely poisonous toxin (tetrodotoxin) contained in the skin and in some organs can leak out and contaminate the dish, making it in fact so toxic that it can cause death. In Japan, fugu is a specialty, and is prepared above all in the form of sashimi.

8. Foie gras

Another traditional foreign dish, in this case a French delicacy, is forbidden in almost all the United States, or the famous goose or duck liver pate. The reason in this case is the unethical treatment of geese during preparation; these are in fact immobilized and forcedly fed through tubes, so as to make their liver size swell.

9. Unpasteurized milk

Unpasteurized raw milk it is notoriously a potentially dangerous food, since it is not subject to the process of removal of toxic microbes. Despite the microbiological risk, raw milk is sold in several countries including Italy, where it can also be purchased from vending machines, but is prohibited in the United States.

10. Bushmeat

To amaze much less, within the list of foods banned by the FDA, is the meat of animals hunted and slaughtered in Africa, including gorillas, antelopes and elephants. Importation is prohibited not only because it can lead to life-threatening diseases but because it encourages illegal trade.