(the misadventures of an expatriate corporate dropout)

Thursday, August 21, 2008

interesting new (to me) vegetable.

Okay, this is just a quickie to tell you about a new taste I tried today, before I forget.

Went with classmates to lunch at one of the best Thiviers has to offer (a non-fancy restaurant directly across from the rail station).

I have come to love their week-day menu du jour, and whenever the opportunity for lunch arises ... this is where I go. Todays offering was a custard tart with camembert, main course of lapin (so moist and tender it nearly fell off the bone) accompanied by ... drum roll for new veggie ... Salsify! We pondered and pondered what it was we were eating. The flavor is akin to a mild artichoke. In 'googling' I discovered some versions also have a slight oyster flavor. (Not our version, not at all).

One of the cool things about living in an agricultural area of France, one gets to experience a wide variety of vegetables and other produce not found or used elsewhere. This particular item was delicious. Any of you cooks out there have any encounters with salsify?

Dessert was diced fresh fruit in a light vanilla and sugar marinade.

Delicious and the menu de jour is only 11€; total bill for 3 including a pichet of rosé and cafés all around was 43.50€.

Fabulous!

4 comments:

Randal Graves said...

Salsify! A-men!

Goatsbeard? After preparation, nothing satyr-like about it; they look like fingers.

"Did someone say fingers?"

Go away, Cheney.

La Framéricaine said...

Now you're talkin' my kind of lunch and budget!!! I'll probably never eat out again, once I get the Hexagone. It would be a choice between a new window and dinner. Guess what wins?

Delighted to hear that you are getting out and about with your classmates.

La Belette Rouge said...

At first I thought they were white asparagus. I have never before heard of this intriguing veg. I must try. I LOVE artichokes.!!

Sounds like a fun and tasty outing.

Non Je Ne Regrette Rien said...

AND less than 100 calories per serving, a whole cup, which leaves room for a little garlic butter! yay!