Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The Romany are a fascinating people and the author provides some interesting information on their culture and history. The problem is with the culinary aspect of the book. First, the vast majority of Romany (originally from northern India) live in Eastern Europe, in countries such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia. The author, Carol Wilson, is British, and spends most of the book describing the culture and foods of the relatively small and atypical gypsy population of the British Isles. Indeed, serum protein studies suggest that many British gypsy populations (often referred to as Tinkers) are not even genetically related to Romany. In my travels in Eastern Europe, many restaurants featured dishes with "Gypsy Style" in the title. While these may or may not be authentic Romany dishes they suggest a strong influence of Romany culture in these regions. I expected a more detailed study of Eastern European cuisines. A second problem is that, from my reading of this book, there does not appear to be an actual gypsy cuisine. For example, gypsies in Spain eat Paella (a typical Spanish paella recipe is provided), gypsies in Scotland eat Cranachan (a traditional Scottish dessert), while those in Eastern Europe eat stuffed cabbages (a typical Slavic recipe is given). I was waiting to read that American gypsies eat hamburgers and french fries. Rightly or wrongly, this book suggests a complete assimilation to the culinary traditions of the countries the Romany live in. This may be factual and related to their nomadic lifestyle, but the fact that the Romany have kept so many of their other distinct cultural traditions alive leads me to wonder. In conclusion: not a bad book if you are interested in learning about the cultural traditions of British gypsies.
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Product Description:
The Romany people are descendents of the ancient warrior classes of Northern India who trekked westwards around AD 1000.Although they were, and still are, referred to as "gypsies," their correct and preferred name is Roma.Their migration took them through Persia and Armenia, into Europe and later to the Americas.Today, the Roma live scattered throughout the world.
Roma foodways were traditionally determined by their nomadic way of life.Thus, the cuisine came to include whatever was readily available, such as wild fruits and vegetables, berries, herbs, flowers, fish and shellfish, and wild game.Today, few Roma continue to live as nomads, and their traditional cuisine has largely been replaced by that of the mainstream society.Gypsy Feast evokes a memorable picture of the old Romany ways, including recipes, information on feasts and celebrations, marriage and funeral customs, and a unique way of life that has almost disappeared.
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