Foods in Novels, Escarole from the Farmers Market

In her novel about restaurant life, Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler, (https://amzn.to/4w5c3P1), the narrator casually mentions that the chef at the restaurant she works at cooks bitter greens in the winter, like escarole. Food mentions like this in novels are enticing to the reader, but since the food isn’t the main focus, they simply provide background and help push the narrative along. 

From what I could tell, there was one mention of food in the entire Elena Ferrante Neopolitan Novels series, when the main character, the fictional Elena, brings her prospective husband home to her economically poor family, her mother makes some type of potato cake. Meet the fictional Elena:  https://amzn.to/3QWS6ek.

While food can help anchor a story, in real life, preparing meals can become a daily grind. Which is why the Farmers Market serves as weekly inspiration. To be free to go to the Farmers Market before the hoards arrive from work on a beautiful day means first choice advantage.  This week, I got some local produce including a fresh bunch of escarole and, a mini portion of frozen Eggplant Rollatini.   

My plan: divide the escarole into two chopped batches, and conquer.

After rinsing and chopping, I meal planned one batch for a sauté in olive oil with garlic, lemon, a little salt and pepper and a drop of this stuff, Better Than Bouillon Organic Seasoned Vegetable Base, https://amzn.to/4g3mC0m. A favorite of the cook, writer and author, Alison Roman, and me too.  But a little goes a long way. Watch the salt. 

The other batch?  I am planning on winging an Italian escarole egg drop soup, formally known as Stracciatella alla Romana, that is quick and comforting.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. It helps support Greens Water at no additional cost to you.

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