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Woody Guthrie Had It Right

March 25, 2010 0 Comments

Long ago the famous folksinger Woody Guthrie described America as a pasture of plenty. It’s a wonderful expression and while it certainly includes farms and fields, there’s more to it. It’s about the idea that we have a common bond, that everyone is part of something, that we have a society which is inclusive and that all are welcome.

We feel that way about food. We don’t think that any cuisine has a monopoly on good taste, or that the most-expensive meal in town necessarily represents the best experience. Instead, we see a wider world where good cooking comes in many forms and from many traditions.

Part of how we express ourselves in America is through what we cook and what we eat. The cuisine of New Orleans and the cuisine of Seattle are different — and both can be hugely satisfying. And the same is true with local preferences in San Francisco, Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and a thousand other places. No less important, we all benefit from generations of immigrants who brought with them such favorites as pizza, tacos, empanadas, waffles, bagels, hot dogs and dim sum.

Food, after all, is more than fuel. Food in the best case is a sensuous experience, it involves taste, touch and aroma. Eat something unique and wonderful and a thousand memories are created. And let’s be honest, good food is part of lust and love.

We’re lucky to live in the pasture of plenty described so well by Mr. Guthrie.

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Photo Credit: US Department of Energy

Filed in: Trips

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