Week 1 Reflection

For eighteen years we are drilled with the same historical dialogue throughout the nation: Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, there was an exchange of food, thirteen colonies formed, and the revolution against the British birthed the United States of America. Upon entering my university, the discussion of what really happened covered the mass genocide and colonization that occurred with Columbus’s arrival. Studying abroad creates a strange dynamic: I get excited to visit multiple countries, but I remember that these were the nations and people that murdered millions. Coincidentally, our lectures on the Columbian Exchange line up perfectly with a nationally recognized day in the states: Columbus Day (12, October, 2015). Despite the detrimental repercussions of the Columbian Exchange, it was an impactful voyage that transformed foods and cultures globally.

In “The Columbian Exchange: A History of Diseases, Food, and Ideas,” Nathan Nunn and Nancy Qian state that the exchange, “First, it introduced previously unknown species to the Old World. Many of these species - like potatoes, sweet potatoes, maize, and cassava (also known as manion) - resulted in caloric and nutritional improvements over previously existing staples.” pg. 167. These resources became vital to Europe’s food supply creating a high demand for it. With this high demand, the triangular trade was created and the New World was exploited for its resources using the mass slave labor from Africa. However, all the production was controlled from forces on Europe. A connection this distant was unprecedented. Although European powers were exploiting the New World for its resources, it was highly conditional. One on hand you had a desired commodity like cotton that the British put strict restrictions on: it had to be transported on British ships, the ship crew had to be seventy five percent British, and production was only allowed regionally. On the other hand, you had produce such as tomatoes that were rejected. After three centuries, the tomato became more socially acceptable and within time made its way into Italy.

Collectively, Europe refused the tomato and created a disgusting image around the product, Italy included. Comparing the past with the present, it is fascinating to see the important role that tomatoes have taken in Italian cuisine. While it arguable that there is no standard Italian cuisine, it is undeniable that tomatoes carry a strong presence. From a disgusting, poor food to a necessary ingredient, tomatoes have gone through a long transition. In “A History of the Tomato in Italy Pomodro!” David Gentilcore mentions that, “Moreover, the new medical ideas meant that the tomato as long as it was cooked, was no longer perceived as a health risk.” pg. 47. This resonates with me because while we discussed in class of all the health benefits that tomatoes present, it is still uncommon that tomatoes are eaten immediately like you would an apple. Certain foods do require diced tomatoes without cooking but they are often mixed with other ingredients and seasoned with salt and lemon. It is interesting to see that while we have accustomed to eating tomatoes, our past images of tomatoes have affected the way we eat tomatoes. Circling back to Italy specifically, after visiting Rome, Pisa, and eating plenty of dishes in Florence there wasn’t a single dish without tomato present. Through our discussions and experiences in Istanbul and Florence it creates an entirely new dimension to the way I think of food.

Lastly, to cover my experiences in Italy it has been interesting to see how close, yet different the food is. The key difference I saw was in the bread. The bread in Rome and Pisa was noticeably softer than the bread in Florence. However, tomatoes, pasta, and bread were all main dishes that I saw on the menus in the three cities. The bruschetta that I tasted in Rome had tomatoes that glistened in the sunlight and tasted fresher than the ones that I had in Florence. All in all, the experiences that I have had in these different cities further contextualize the discussions we have on Italy’s emphasis on regionality.