Job 143
"French" (Belgian) Fries
Origin: Belgium
Yes, to me and many people's dismay, fries aren't actually in Smash yet somehow. I find it such a disgrace for such a cultural icon to not get featured in the biggest gaming crossover of all time. And that's why I'm here advocating for them to finally get their deserved debut. So let's start at the beginning.
The Birth and Beginning of Belgian Fries
Fries are made from potatoes, also called "patatten" in Belgium. A "patat" means a potato in Belgium but in the Netherlands a "patat" or "bakje patat", means a packet of fries with mayonnaise. More about fries later...
Now first some more about potatoes. Potatoes are very nutritious and are part of the daily menu in many families and homes. There are a number of theories about how they ended up on our plates. So let's begin with a small history lesson shall we?
How did the Potato end up in Belgium?
Paul Illegems, author of several books on French fries, puts the origin of potatoes in Spain. He writes that one of the first cultivations took place there, namely in a convent in Seville. There lived a nun who was very interested in food and also in the potato, for whatever reason. In Spain, a lot of cooking is done with olive oil, and it is very plausible to believe that the Spaniards brought this knowledge along with their vegetables to Belgium and the Netherlands with them. But believe it or not, this is not the only theory. In 1567, one Juan De la Molina sent some barrels of potatoes to his brother, Luis, in Antwerp. This Juan was on the Canary Islands at the time, and it is very possible that it is thanks to him that we also started to feast on these delicious tubers.
Origin of Belgian Fries
But where do the Belgian fries come from? A very well known story about the origin comes from a manuscript by Joseph Gérard from 1781. According to him, the inhabitants (especially the poor) of Namur, Dinant and Andenne were fishing for small fish in the Meuse River. But in winter the water froze and they cut potatoes in the shape of the little fish and fried the potatoes in the same way. This theory is overturned by Pierre Leclercq who says that fat was far too expensive for the poor at the time.
Though, there are many theories about the origins of Belgian fries, unfortunately far too many to write down here. There is also no theory that has been scientifically proven, which makes speculation all the more fun. The only thing that has been accepted as fact is that Belgian fries have become a national pride and joy and should never be taken away from the Belgians.
Different Kinds of Fries
Americans call Belgian fries 'French fries' but real French fries are thinner and flatter than real Belgian fries. You also have pommes Pont-Neuf, pommes bataille, pommes paille, steppegras-frietjes, etc., etc...
Closing Words
Even though I'm not ethnically Belgian, I do love myself some Belgian fries from time to time. Belgian fries are a huge cultural icon and we despise the French for forcing their name on the pride and joy of the Belgians. At last, a little fact to end things off...
Did you know that Belgian French fry shop culture was recognized as intangible cultural heritage? If there is one thing you find in just about every Belgian town, it's the French fry shop - 5,000 of them in all. With this national recognition, the Belgian French fry shop culture now also has a chance of being recognized by Unesco. The fact that Belgian fries can't be compared to anything else isn't just hot air. Our Belgian fries are shorter, meatier and yellower than American fries. The climate and soil in Belgium are ideal for growing quality potatoes. Add to that its central location, in the heart of the European potato region, and you can understand why this small country is one of the world's leading suppliers of fries.
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