The Places I’ve Tasted
A Memoir on the Foods I’ve Tried
By Abigail Strauss
It seems as though the world has given me a banquet on a silver platter.
With foods and treats and tastes and smells, nothing else matters.
I now bestow upon you, a list of the foods I’ve tried.
Whether they’re baked, or cooked, boiled, sautéed, or maybe even fried.
First up, we have Portugal, with tuk-tuks and fine dining.
With music and dancing and people and smiles that never stop shining.
And a treat so creamy it melts in your mouth, introducing the Pastel de Nata
So flaky, to laminate it, they must use at least twenty pounds of buttah.
Spain is up next and wow-it is great. With intricate buildings and more,
And golden fields that roll for miles, and bulls with their partner, the matador.
Tapas are this verse’s topic, little snacks and pre-dinner foods.
They come in so many varieties-and they always lift your mood.
And now we have Morocco, filled with culture and happiness,
With so many people, voices, traditions, and food to which I’ll always say yes.
Bastilla can be dessert or dinner-with chicken and raisins, or fruits of all kinds,
Dusted with sugar and tasting amazing, I’ll eat it all day, and won’t mind.
Then we have Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea.
With temples so old, from before the pyramids, it’s really a sight to see.
Prinjolata is a dessert, that is filling; just a bite or two will be good,
Made with pine nuts and tastes so peculiar if you haven’t tried it, you should.
Finally Italy, famous for reasons-like Rome, Venice, Pompeii too,
Pasta and pizza, supplì, gelato! To pick would be hard to do,
But I made some food, from scratch, in Siena: tiramisu and ravioli,
With herbs from the garden, it tasted so fresh-almost heavenly.
I know that you’re asking; Why stop right there? Please keep going!
But if I were to finish, I’d be writing ‘til the time it starts snowing.
But don’t worry I’ll finish, (in a couple of weeks) until then, you’ll just have to wait.
But my taste buds have gone around the world, and trust me-it tastes great.
Personal Note:
On this trip, I feel like I have expanded and grown so much in the world of food. Before this trip, I stayed away from fish, and now, I like it. I used to absolutely despise tomatoes, and now I eat them weekly. Now that our whole family are vegetarians at home, I have tried so many new meals with foods like lentils and squash. For a little while, I was trying at least one new food a day. It is amazing seeing how many different cuisines there are, and I can’t wait to try more.
