I so enjoyed, if that is the right word here, being able to read of your memories of a places that now exists only in the minds of those who knew of them. On a lighter note. As you mentioned the fragrance of roasting peppers I was reminded of a fall ritual that takes place every year in our backyard. The roasting of peppers done by our neighbour that will become a chili sauce used at their restaurants. That scent is forever in my food memory.
Thank you for writing about Aleppo, there can't be many who visited that city before the civil war who haven't left a piece of their heart in the rubble. Once while walking through the bazar in Aleppo, we looked into a restaurant where people were pouring out large vats of a thick burgundy coloured liquid into pans, with not a drop staining their long white aprons. Intrigued, we entered and asked what this was. 'Kiraziye' they answered, the sour cherry sauce that was served with the meat-balls, and most delicious as described.
Goodness, Nancy, such nostalgia for a place unknown to me, a place you have now revealed even as it disappears. I've never tasted Aleppo peppers, and now probably never will--but I have sniffed them in the air you speak of, just because you speak of it. Thank you for taking me there.
Thank you for the wonderful story. When I heard about the earthquake hitting Syria, I thought of you immediately. I remembered your stories of going there and how much you loved your journeys there. Your insightful way of speaking in a story brings the tastes and aromas to life. ❤️
Wonderful post, Nancy - thanks so much! So important to remember the good times after such an unimaginable disaster. Curiously, my maternal line of descent (Jewish, emigrated from the Polish Russian border in the 1880's) took the name of Baron in the UK and Levy in the US. I always wondered about the choice of Baron - didn't seem to fit.
Nancy, what a beautiful story. It brings back all my memories of being there and exploring their glorious food and culture. I remember reading this article years ago and never thought there would come a time or reason for it to not exist. So rich, so beautiful and now gone.
Yes! Love it! We (humanfolk) always seem to have a given name followed by a means of differentiation - placename, occupation, son or daughter of...whatever. Could be an interesting line of exploration. Seems to pop up when judges are born with the name "Judge". Wonder if it works for Cook or Baker.
And so these memories live on--and those places, those peppers, those people--thanks to your story. Keep telling them please.
Beautiful writing. You transported me to that place and time.
I so enjoyed, if that is the right word here, being able to read of your memories of a places that now exists only in the minds of those who knew of them. On a lighter note. As you mentioned the fragrance of roasting peppers I was reminded of a fall ritual that takes place every year in our backyard. The roasting of peppers done by our neighbour that will become a chili sauce used at their restaurants. That scent is forever in my food memory.
Thank you for writing about Aleppo, there can't be many who visited that city before the civil war who haven't left a piece of their heart in the rubble. Once while walking through the bazar in Aleppo, we looked into a restaurant where people were pouring out large vats of a thick burgundy coloured liquid into pans, with not a drop staining their long white aprons. Intrigued, we entered and asked what this was. 'Kiraziye' they answered, the sour cherry sauce that was served with the meat-balls, and most delicious as described.
A fascinating read as ever. I've never been to Aleppo but would love to put that to rights
Wonderful, Nancy. I think I told you that I was in Aleppo in 1972.
Goodness, Nancy, such nostalgia for a place unknown to me, a place you have now revealed even as it disappears. I've never tasted Aleppo peppers, and now probably never will--but I have sniffed them in the air you speak of, just because you speak of it. Thank you for taking me there.
Indeed. Let us hope they are somewhere in the Middle East, with similar environment, trying to reproduce it.
Thank you Nancy. A wonderful homage to these exceptional hard working people. Inshallah they are safe somewhere.
I use Aleppo peppers but for a year or so now it is hard to get it.
Dear Nancy,
Thank you for the wonderful story. When I heard about the earthquake hitting Syria, I thought of you immediately. I remembered your stories of going there and how much you loved your journeys there. Your insightful way of speaking in a story brings the tastes and aromas to life. ❤️
Love aleppo pepper... thanks for telling us how it gets its unique flavor!
Wonderful post, Nancy - thanks so much! So important to remember the good times after such an unimaginable disaster. Curiously, my maternal line of descent (Jewish, emigrated from the Polish Russian border in the 1880's) took the name of Baron in the UK and Levy in the US. I always wondered about the choice of Baron - didn't seem to fit.
Nancy, what a beautiful story. It brings back all my memories of being there and exploring their glorious food and culture. I remember reading this article years ago and never thought there would come a time or reason for it to not exist. So rich, so beautiful and now gone.
Seen Lippert
Yes! Love it! We (humanfolk) always seem to have a given name followed by a means of differentiation - placename, occupation, son or daughter of...whatever. Could be an interesting line of exploration. Seems to pop up when judges are born with the name "Judge". Wonder if it works for Cook or Baker.
Beautifully written but made me very sad this morning for all that is lost.
pepper
Another of your wonderful pieces…..Everything—history, politics, sense of place, and, of course, the food.
Sitt Lois