Izzy (and Mama) Eat: The Gourmand Goes To College...

Tales of Empty Nest and College Boy Eats.. The Next Chapter

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Hugged For Kielbasa: Giving Food Advice To Strangers


It happened like this: I was on my way home from my weekly Greenmarket excursion. I sat on the Path train headed for Jersey City, wheeling my overstuffed granny cart, carrots and other produce poking through the slots for all to see. A toddler in a baby stroller caught my eye and began an animated game of peek-a-boo with me.

I exited the train at Pavonia Newport and noted that he and his mother left too. As she walked beside me, she admired the vegetables in my cart. Soon a discussion of food ensued and she lamented the fact that her child did not eat enough vegetables. An all too common scenario, to be sure. She purported to be a terrible cook, blaming his veggie woes on her lackluster kitchen skills. I probed for more info..What did he eat? What did she like to eat, etc...As the facts emerged, I discovered that her son did indeed eat. She said he ate Polish food and Mexican food. Well that is certainly something to be proud of since there are many toddlers who have not even tried those things.

She still feared that something was lacking from her son's diet. She said she was a busy, single mom and didn't have much time to cook. I told her that there are many ways she can improve upon it and that I could help her.
Our conversation continued the entire way from the Path station to my home for about 10 minutes. As we were nearing the end of the walk, I somehow gleaned that the woman was Polish. When I inquired she nodded affirmatively. I then asked if she was familiar with Europa Meat and Provisions, our local spot for pierogi and kielbasa. She said that she hadn't heard of it and that her mother (in Chicago) kept telling her that there must be some Polish food around here somewhere.

She was so thrilled with this news that when I stopped to take leave of her, she said, "I just want to thank you for making my day, or maybe my life. I need to give you a hug." And she did. I told her to contact me through this blog and I hope to hear from her soon. Perhaps she and her son are tucking into a giant platter of pierogi right now.

Europa Meat & Provisions Inc Description - Polish deli, meat Address - 527 Jersey Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey ( NJ ) 07302-2720 Google Map Mapquest MapTelephone - (201) 435-2221

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