Indulging the exotic, what exactly does this mean? Oxford Dictionary defines exotic as, “Originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country.” Encyclopedia Britannica denotes it as, “very different, strange, or unusual”. Well now, depending on where in the world Waldo is, every place and everything can be defined as exotic.
Large cities have the advantage of allowing diversity to reign freely. Yes, cultural communities may have a strong footing in one particular area of the city. Those interested in, and wanting to experience, the different cultures will travel to the areas. Music, dancing, artwork, even religious beliefs open up the minds to newness throughout our small planet. However, it is the foods and beverages of the community that open up, widely, the senses of sight, smell and taste. Sadly though, more often than not, many do not seek out the “very different, strange or unusual”. Fear of the unknown is too strong for some, and we all know that fear is the mind killer.
Living on the east coast, and especially within a short travel distance to New York City, experiencing the exotic was easy. Within Brooklyn itself, when I lived there back in the 1960s, and visited during the 1970s, Italian, Croatian, Norwegian, and the Jewish communities had much to offer. Parades, festivals, bakeries, delicatessens, restaurants, and all the small “mom and pop” grocery shops were a learning experience, especially when it came to foods and beverages.
So, when I think of exotic, the food items I will tell you about now were readily available, and normal (such an overrated word) for me, while to you, they might sound, once more, “very different, strange or unusual”.
Recently, I found an online site that offered products created and shipped in from Israel, and many items used in Jewish recipes. Galil Brands (https://galilbrands.com/) has been in business, since 1985, offer customer quality products at reasonable prices, from several countries, not just Israel. Orders of $35 or more have free shipping, and the products from Israel are kosher. Why is being kosher so important? Did you ever see that commercial for Hebrew National hotdogs, the one with Uncle Sam about to eat a hotdog full of additives, fillers and by-products? But the narrator states, “Hebrew National is kosher, as we have to answer to a higher authority”. So, what does kosher mean? The Hebrew word "kosher" means fit or proper as it relates to kosher dietary law. While it is not necessary for a rabbi to bless the foods, a company will have a rabbi on staff to supervise the processing, and make sure it follows “biblical” quality standards. The rabbi will inspect ingredients added to foods, and the foods themselves, to make sure no contaminants taint the products. Therefore, no FDA allowable amounts of bug parts, rodent droppings or animal hairs. Yes, I am grossed out too, so let’s get on to the products you might see as exotic, and I only see as hitting the yummy spot of the tummy.
Turkish Delight, I bet the first time you have heard of this confection was either reading The Chronicles of Narnia, or watching the movies. In the story, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Turkish delight is a symbol of Edmund's mistakes and his want for something so much that he will hurt others to get it.
Turkish Delight is a candy made with starch and sugar that commonly comes in flavors like rose, orange, lemon or mint. Cut into small squares, to resemble jewels, this powdered sugar covered treat (lokum in Turkish) became popular in Turkey at the final quarter of the 18th century. The confectioner Hacı Bekir Effendi, arrived in Constantinople (Istanbul today) from Anatolia in 1776, and invented Turkish Delight. While eating the candy, the flavorings start out mild and intensify as chewed, with the powdered sugar giving a delightful sweetness. Created in Turkey and delightfully sweet…Turkish Delight!
Roasted Chestnuts, back in the December 14, 2022 issue of the San Juan Record, I wrote about chestnuts, and mentioned the Galil brand then. At that time, the chestnuts in the packets were an unsightly, and appetite killing, greyish color. Not so any longer! The chestnuts are a variety of light to dark brown, just as roasted chestnuts are expected to look like. The flavor is full on chestnut, and while the packet says to refrigerate after opening, and will last seven days; no, maybe two days maximum as they are addicting.
Dried figs are a good source of calcium and fiber; they are a good substitute when fresh figs are not available for purchase. Due to being high in natural sugar, the recommended serving is 2-3 figs per day. Being dried, they can be difficult to bite apart, and very chewy; but they can be reconstituted in water for easier eating.
Galil Brands offers grocery items, candies and snacks galore; many might sound weird, but they will be a delicious bonus to the taste buds. So, go for the different, the strange, the unusual…go exotic!
Mary Cokenour
