No Substitute for Good Taste

No Substitute for Good Taste

By Joe Renna

Every attempt is made to simulate the trappings of a rich cultural experience. What is now considered authentic is nothing more than a plastic model of the real thing, superficially accurate but lacking the substance that makes it real. Artificial substitution degrades the food as well as the dinning experience.

When corporations try to duplicate "authentic, home made, Italian" specialties, they are also trying to turn the largest profit possible, and that's when they fail. The instant they cut a corner by substituting quality ingredients authenticity goes out the window. This is to suggest that a mother would deliberately skimp when feeding her family. As ridiculous as that seems it happens to be the prevailing case in popular culture. The American melting pot that is full of rich cultures has been watered down . Artificial flavors have been added and preservatives are used to control change. Americans are eating it up.

This area of the country happens to be blessed with a first wave immigration population that has not strayed from its roots. Restaurants and delis are true to their traditions. Meals are made to order, specialties are made fresh every day, by hand, using quality ingredients. This is home cooking. The way it was done - at home!

Still, it is peculiar how fast food establishments coexist with quality eateries. There must be something lacking in the person who, given the choice, orders dinner through a speaker box. It must be that they don't know any better and were never taught the joy of eating. What a pity.

Someone lucky enough to have been raised in a culture that valued good food should be thankful. It may seem basic but it is not. Chances are the passion for food is extended into other aspects of life. Music, health, family, religion, community and love. When one talks of culture, these are the ingredients. There are no substitutions. And as hard as they try, scientists could never duplicate the experience.

People pay for experiences all the time. And they may think they received their money's worth because they may never have had the real experience to compare to. Just think, to have never had home-made lasagna, broccoli rabe or tripe. Does the person who eats little round spaghetti and meatballs from a can know what they are missing? Why choose the corporate over mom and pop.

To find this answer, one must look to how the corporations promote themselves. That comes down to price and convenience. These are two valid motivators but in order for them to work they must also be number one and two on the consumer's list, and that is the key to the puzzle. Modern culture is motivated by money and convenience. Ethnic cultures were born from necessity, developed in spite of being materially poor. The priorities that rose to the top could not be purchased. If you wanted, or needed, a garden you had to do the gardening. Opening a can of tomato sauce and heating it in the micro-wave can never equal the taste of a pot of gravy that was seasoned by hand and has simmered on the stove for four hours.

Priorities are taught as values are past down to each generation. There should be no reason to yearn for what used to be. Modern culture may be diluted, but there is still enough raw ingredients in those with first hand experience to make a nice ciambotta and have the kids over for dinner.