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Cheese, Pears, and History in a Proverb
Massimo Montanari
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Description for Cheese, Pears, and History in a Proverb
Hardback. Translator(s): Brombert, Beth Archer. Series: Arts & Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History. Num Pages: 128 pages, Illustrations. BIC Classification: 1DST; HBJD; WBN. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 210 x 140 x 16. Weight in Grams: 292.
"Do not let the peasant know how good cheese is with pears" goes the old saying. Intrigued by these words and their portent, Massimo Montanari unravels their origin and utility. Perusing archival cookbooks, agricultural and dietary treatises, literary works, and anthologies of beloved sayings, he finds in the nobility's demanding palates and delicate stomachs a compelling recipe for social conduct. At first, cheese and its visceral, earthy pleasures were treated as the food of Polyphemus, the uncivilized man-beast. The pear, on the other hand, became the symbol of ephemeral, luxuriant pleasure-an indulgence of the social elite. Joined together, cheese ... Read more
"Do not let the peasant know how good cheese is with pears" goes the old saying. Intrigued by these words and their portent, Massimo Montanari unravels their origin and utility. Perusing archival cookbooks, agricultural and dietary treatises, literary works, and anthologies of beloved sayings, he finds in the nobility's demanding palates and delicate stomachs a compelling recipe for social conduct. At first, cheese and its visceral, earthy pleasures were treated as the food of Polyphemus, the uncivilized man-beast. The pear, on the other hand, became the symbol of ephemeral, luxuriant pleasure-an indulgence of the social elite. Joined together, cheese ... Read more
Product Details
Format
Hardback
Publication date
2010
Publisher
Columbia University Press
Condition
New
Series
Arts & Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History
Number of Pages
128
Place of Publication
New York, United States
ISBN
9780231152501
SKU
V9780231152501
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-1
About Massimo Montanari
Massimo Montanari is professor of medieval history and the history of food at the Institute of Paleography and Medieval Studies, University of Bologna. He has authored and coauthored more than a dozen books, including Let the Meatballs Rest: And Other Stories About Food and Culture, Food Is Culture; Italian Cuisine: A Cultural History; Food: A Culinary History; and Famine and ... Read more
Reviews for Cheese, Pears, and History in a Proverb
A remarkable essay in gastrohermeneutics. Massimo Montanari succinctly unravels a puzzle of a proverb, utilizing a stunning array of primary sources, from medical theory and cookbooks to agronomic and literary texts. Surprising and fascinating discoveries on the social meaning of food are revealed. While reading, a wedge of cheese and sliced pears are highly recommended.
Ken Albala, University of ... Read more
Ken Albala, University of ... Read more