Aubergines

When we lived in Edinburgh in 1973, I was totally at sea with what passed for Scottish cuisine in those days. It was certainly 'local' and 'seasonal' but not in the same way that we have come to understand those terms.  In 1973 Edinburgh in the winter, the local and seasonal offerings were mainly 'neeps and tatties' (turnips and potatoes). I learned how to make 'mince' with carrots and frozen peas, but there was no such thing as lettuce, to be had anywhere.

We were quite excited to locate a Safeway  on the outskirts of town and were thrilled to discover within some fresh aubergines and courgettes (known to us as 'eggplant' and 'zucchini' but easily recognizable in either language.) Alas, when we went to check out, the checker had no idea what they were called in any language. Some time elapsed while we sorted out the language difficulties....

When spring finally arrived in Edinburgh, I was beside myself to discover fresh asparagus in the local greengrocers. I bought all she had, but she was quite cross with me, not for buying up all her stock, but because I paid the ungodly sum of a pound a pound for it!

Times have certainly changed on both sides of the pond since then. We have to go no farther than our garden for eggplants and zucchini, and, aside from the fact that we spent countless hours and not a little money running around town acquiring  the 'ingredients' for OilMan to make his own fertilizer, they are 'free'. And Edinburgh has become a gourmet capital. 

The last time we were in there about five years ago, we dined in a fantastic Thai restaurant just down the street from where we stayed,  and Peter's Yard, which served wonderful coffee, delectable bread, pastries and pizza , was in the same building. OilMan became quite chummy with the barista down there who gave him free coffees....