Food trivia from my in-progress compendium

Crabapple jam-jell made by Pat with fruit picked up from under a tree at an Arby's somewhere. Picker was James, the regional manager, who DID get a couple jars for his trouble.

by Pat Laster

 Here I sit at 9:30 p.m. eating a 6-inch pepperoni pizza––(“Is it too late to eat a pizza?” I asked myself. “Yes,” I answered, but my arm and hand opened the freezer door, pulled one out anyway, thus counteracting my left-brained answer.)––and taking notes from one of the paragons of humorous writing, Dorothy Parker.

           Her humor isn’t rubbing off on me, but here are some facts I didn’t know, and which I thought interesting at the time. Before –and if—I publish this book of journal jottings, I will update each item.

            *As of January 2010, Taco Bell was owned by Yum Brands and is the largest Mexican fast-food chain in the US. (Associated Press, hereafter AP)

           *Paul Newman and A. E. Hotchner, author of Papa Hemingway, started Newman’s Own line of salad dressings in 1982.

           * Two varieties of pumpkins are Jack B. Little (miniatures) and Sugar Pie.

           * Two varieties of pear are Moonglow and Harrow Delight.

           * Two varieties of fig are Brown Turkey and Celeste.

           * Jersey Red is a variety of apple.

           * A ‘butter bell’ is the name of a French-inspired crock to keep butter soft without refrigeration. Now, it is a brand name for such a crock.

 Did you hear about the guy who robbed a Staten Island pizzeria and fled with a bag of dough?

            * Oreos were introduced in 1912.

             * PepsiCo Inc. is the world’s largest snack-food maker. – D Welch, Bloomberg News (2.16.12)
             * Kellogg Co. is buying Proctor and Gamble’s Pringles potato chip business for about $2.7 billion, making it the largest maker of savory snacks sold in 140 countries.

            * According to David S. Bachman, MD, writing in the September 2011 issue of the now defunct Aging Arkansas, bananas are better than apples. He said bananas prevent depression, build brain power, control blood pressure, helps avoid constipation, helps cure hangovers, heart burn, mosquito bites (rub it with inside of a banana skin) and nervousness. Bananas suppress food cravings, help SAD sufferers, aids in quitting smoking, reduces stress and helps prevent strokes.

            * In the fall of 2010, Sara Lee sold its Fresh Bakery to Grupo Bimbo, a Mexican baking giant based in Mexico City, which made it the largest US baker (sic). Sara Lee said it will keep its Hillshire Farms meat and Senseo Coffee, its frozen desserts and deli meats. (S, Skidmore & M. Chapman) Since then, Sara Lee has made other changes, some of which are mentioned later.

           * Statements from a news article quoted the late Julia Child as saying, “Don’t snack. I never snack. The French don’t snack.” Don’t tell me she didn’t lick her fingers or ream the batter from beaters and bowls when she baked.
            “If you eat three sensible meals,” she continued, “you shouldn’t snack.” She didn’t specify a sensible meal, but I’ll bet a bagel it wouldn’t have been the same as Bridgette Bardot’s!          

           *Speaking of updates, here’s one: Sara Lee, long a conglomerate, has further slimmed down to only meat and cheesecake, and has been renamed to Hillshire Brands. For further details, see Emily York’s article from the Chicago Tribune that was published in the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette on July 1.

c 2012 by Pat Laster dba lovepat press