Authentic Cuisine

We assume authentic means, it has been made that way for ages.

Tomato is a berry this is native to Mexico and Central America. The Mexican Nahuatl word Tomatl was bastardised by the Spanish to Tomate. The Spaniards brought tomatoes to Europe. The Portuguese brought tomatoes to India. 

Photo by Josephine Baran on Unsplash

How many of you believe that authentic Indian cuisine can be cooked without Tomatoes? Almost every Indian cuisine utilises tomatoes rather generously. None of the Indian gravies would be possible without the use of Tomatoes.

To think the vegetable did not even exist in the region 500 years ago!

So what the hell are we talking about when we say authentic cuisine?

Even the Italians did not have tomatoes till after the Europeans visited South America. So, is the Arrabbiata not authentic Italian?

Were burgers being made in America 300 years ago?

What we call authentic India, or Italian or whatever else is not all that authentic. No cuisine is authentic.

When you hear authentic Italian, it simply means, it is how they cook it there TODAY. It may be gone tomorrow.