I read this in the Op-Ed section of the online edition of the New York Times today. It's an interesting overview of the role of leftovers through the history of the American diet, but the final two paragraphs gave me pause.
Though technology has eased the task of dealing with leftovers, Americans have come to depend on them less than ever. For many eaters, repurposing leftovers has become all but obsolete, thanks to processed foods with long shelf lives and countless venues for eating out.
So if you find yourself struggling to turn Thursday’s turkey into yet another meal, remember that this was how Americans once ate day in and day out — and be grateful that there will probably be a new menu starting tomorrow.
Growing up my parents (both of whom cooked) certainly made good use of leftovers - a roast served one night became French Dip sandwiches the next, soups and stews and chilis were made in quantities that allowed the leftovers to be frozen for another meal, etc. I have carried this practice into adult life, as an undergrad and grad student living on a student budget, as a young professional, and as middle-aged wife and fill-in parent. I see no "shame" in making good use of resources - both the time it takes to prepare a meal, and the food that goes into creating it. The budget is eased and home-cooked food becomes available for lunches at work, etc. when the we purposefully plan for using leftovers.
Interestingly, the teachers who regularly sit down at the faculty room table at lunch time with leftovers in front of them are the ones who get the kindly envious comments about the contents of their Tupperware. I've noticed that those on the receiving end tend to be me and a couple of male teachers who have stay-at-home wives. It's become well-known since I returned to classroom teaching this year that my lunches are almost always homemade, and always enticing - and yes, I share!
So bring on the leftovers! And, it's time for me to go put the Thanksgiving turkey carcass on to simmer - looking forward to that leftover turkey soup!
~Mamie"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!"(Hunter S. Thompson)
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~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)
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