Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Breaking the Rules

I do love holiday traditions.  I don't want overly unusual food at Thanksgiving.  I want turkey.  At Christmas I like the standard music and baked goods and it's one of the times of year when I crave a liturgical church service.  New Year's Eve and Day all that flies out the window for me.  I don't care about going out to a party and the local foods and festivities don't entice me one bit.

In the past I have written about the horror that is a traditional Pennsylvania German New Year's Day meal...the ever vomitrocious pork and sauerkraut.  If you need an appetite suppressant to get you off to a good start with any weight loss resolutions, by all mean go read that post.  We will not be partaking.  We never do.  The smell of the stuff makes me want to heave.  One year I made a very small concession to my mother-in-law who cannot function without the annual gag fest.  I bought hot dogs and a small can of sauerkraut and said if she wanted it she could have it.  She was appalled that I expected her to cook it herself.  I suggested if I cooked it she may not like the bonus ingredient of my own puke included.  Ok, so maybe I helped you all with that resolution without your need to follow the link.  You're very welcome.  I'm only here to help.

I've not ever had black eyed peas on New Year's Day, though I hear that's a big thing in the south.  I've had Chinese noodle soup where we had to find who had the longest noodle to see who got the best luck of the year.  I've also had Trinidadian fish broth, which is tasty but does have the prize of actual fish heads floating about.  If I were to cook I'd be inclined to something like lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs.  But this year I am not cooking.  Mr. Lime has said he will take care of the meal.

Don't get too excited.

He's making squirrel stew in the crockpot.  As I type my house has the distinctive aroma of redneck culinary delights.  I can't quite describe it.  I have had squirrel in the past.  Once it was grilled, imparting all the flavor and tenderness of my favorite pair of Birkenstocks.  Once I made a potpie of it at Mr. Lime's request.  The  meat was tender and resembled the dark meat of chicken.  It was still...not my favorite.  I will be polite and taste but I have alternate dinner plans.

As you may recall, it is also my tradition not to make resolutions although last year I broke my own rule and made one.  I resolved to throw out any pair of underwear that was not completely comfy, regardless of its condition, even if they were relatively new. I am pleased to report I have kept this resolution.  It's important to keep them achievable.  I have a male friend who has resolved not to eat chocolate covered brussels sprouts while wearing dresses on Tuesdays.  He is clearly a kindred spirit. 

And while I am completely disregarding the traditions of my people let's discuss the Mummers.  If you are from South East Pennsylvania or South New Jersey you know all about these strange men.  They spend all year making feathery, sequined dresses and practicing their banjo playing and strutting to be ready for New Year's Day.  Imagine, if you will, a parade full of large, hairy men (because I think there is a rule for the percentage of body hair a dude must have) in bedazzled drag playing banjos while marching in a fashion suggesting there is a great proliferation of dog poo in their path.  They like to claim this whole bizarre ritual has roots in pre-Christian Saturnalia rites honoring Momus who was expelled from heaven for criticizing the gods.  I do not know where the Mummers stand on the issue of chocolate covered brussels sprouts.

Myself, I plan to pull on some decidedly non-sequined stretchy pants and tie dye then go work on my downward dog in the ancient practice of yoga to be followed by a nice bit of drunken noodles from the local Thai restaurant.  Furthermore, I resolve not to perform a salsa dance while playing glockenspiel when I am at work in the library.

18 comments:

IT (aka Ivan Toblog) said...

I'm not going to start a rock band

betty said...

I have to say growing up we had the pork(chops) and sauerkraut for New Year's Day (I grew up in Pennsylvania and mom carried the custom when we moved to Southern California).

I'm not sure about squirrel. In the crockpot. I bet you won't find that in too many cookbooks. Enjoy!

and enjoy your new year too :)

betty

Kat said...

I have never heard of any of those traditions, though I have had pork chops and sauerkraut many times growing up. Sauerkraut makes me vomit too. Blech.
Today I plan on sitting around watching football in my pajamas and moving as little as possible. I had planned on taking down the Christmas trees but decided that required entirely too much movement.

Happy New Year, Lime!

Craig said...

Aw, man, I LOVE chocolate-covered broccoli (sequined cross-dressing, not so much. . .)

I never heard of any New Year's food traditions. For several years, we've gotten together with three other couples to play bridge. Everybody brings some highly-calorific snack, and we pop the bubbly at midnight. But no fixed 'food traditions'. . .

When I was a kid, sauerkraut made me gag and puke, but somewhere along the line, I came to like it OK. Altho, I'm more of a kraut-and-kielbasa guy than pork chops. . .

Tabor said...

I think it so cool that you have tried different foods on New Years. Makes me want to add to a bucket list. Today we are having a HUGE side of ribs that I cut apart and after searing with onion put in the slow cooker along with spices and onions. Hubby insisted on thawing it even though there are only two of us and he has a terrible cold. I am thinking LEFTOVERS! I like sauerkraut, but more as a relish rather than main food.

Bijoux said...

Call me crazy, but I love sauerkraut, especially served over mashed potatoes. Sorry!

Secret Agent Woman said...

We (Southerners that we are) had black eyed peas and rice. And cornbread. Mmm.

Commander Zaius said...

I've not ever had black eyed peas on New Year's Day, though I hear that's a big thing in the south.

Yeah, the black eyed peas was a quasi-religious thing with my family along with serving collard greens on New Years. The black eyed peas were suppose to be for luck and the collard greens represented money.

stephen Hayes said...

Squirrel stew? Okay... I hope 2013 brings you joy and fulfillment. Happy New Year.

silly rabbit said...

My husband would get along so well with yours. Ha.

I decided not to resolve to do anything in particular. But next year I may delight in finding the best resolution in the spirit found here.

Best wishes for the happiest new year to your family lime!

Jocelyn said...

Drunken noodles and yoga? You're having THE BEST YEAR EVER.

Happy days to you, chum.

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

I won't touch sauerkraut, except in a Rueben. (even writing it makes my mouth water)


The tradition most years ...we missed it this year ...is homemade split pea soup and corn bread.

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

Oh... and there'll be no resolutions from me.

Daryl said...

i resolved a long time ago never to make resolutions i have worked hard to keep that

Mummers remind me of the Indians in New Orleans who parade during Mardi Gras

we have a tradition ... New Year's morning my husband makes us this amazing breakfast of eggs with cheese and onions .. lots of home fries .. and any left over champagne or wine from the night before ..and he cleans up the kitchen after

Tim VanSant Writes said...

I continue my resolve not to make any resolutions. Happy new year!

Suldog said...

We had Thai food, as we always do. I have resolved to not eat my own feet.

(M)ary said...

The most unusual Meal I have had on new year's day is Korean pancakes.

(M)ary said...

Oh.and ps...I will resolve to eat chocolate covered brussel sprouts should I ever encounter them.