Gypsy Feast: Recipes and Culinary Traditions of the Romany People (Hippocrene Cookbook Library) [Hardcover]

Carol Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hippocrene Cookbook Library | Publication Date: April 2004

The Romany people are descendants of the ancient warrior classes of Northern India who trekked westwards around AD1000. They were, and still are, often referred to as 'gypsies', but their correct and preferred name is Roma. Their migration took them through Persia and Armenia into Europe and later America. Recipes survived through the centuries, frequently undergoing intervention and interpretation to meet the tastes of a particular time. Very few recipes were ever written down - most were handed down verbally through generations. Today, as modern life encroaches on the traditional Romany ways, the old traditions are disappearing rapidly. Convenience foods, modern cooking tools, and appliances have ousted the old cooking methods and traditional recipes, although some are still made for special occasions. This book evokes a memorable picture of the old ways, recipes, feast days, marriage customs, and funeral feasts as well as a unique way of life that has almost disappeared forever.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carol Wilson is a food and cookery writer, cookery consultant, and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. She contributes to a wide variety of publications in Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and Australia, including The London Illustrated News, Food and Wine, and Gastronomica. She is also author of several cookbooks featuring traditional British recipes. Wilson lives with her husband in Heswall in northwest England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781810272
• ISBN-13: 978-0781810272
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,017,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Cultural Notes but a Problematic Cookbook, November 7, 2005

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A Reviewer (DeWitt, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Gypsy Feast: Recipes and Culinary Traditions of the Romany People (Hippocrene Cookbook Library) (Hardcover)

The Romany are a fascinating people and the author provides some interesting information on their culture and history. The problem is with the culinary aspect of the book. First, the vast majority of Romany (originally from northern India) live in Eastern Europe, in countries such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Russia. The author, Carol Wilson, is British, and spends most of the book describing the culture and foods of the relatively small and atypical gypsy population of the British Isles. Indeed, serum protein studies suggest that many British gypsy populations (often referred to as Tinkers) are not even genetically related to Romany. In my travels in Eastern Europe, many restaurants featured dishes with "Gypsy Style" in the title. While these may or may not be authentic Romany dishes they suggest a strong influence of Romany culture in these regions. I expected a more detailed study of Eastern European cuisines. A second problem is that, from my reading of this book, there does not appear to be an actual gypsy cuisine. For example, gypsies in Spain eat Paella (a typical Spanish paella recipe is provided), gypsies in Scotland eat Cranachan (a traditional Scottish dessert), while those in Eastern Europe eat stuffed cabbages (a typical Slavic recipe is given). I was waiting to read that American gypsies eat hamburgers and french fries. Rightly or wrongly, this book suggests a complete assimilation to the culinary traditions of the countries the Romany live in. This may be factual and related to their nomadic lifestyle, but the fact that the Romany have kept so many of their other distinct cultural traditions alive leads me to wonder. In conclusion: not a bad book if you are interested in learning about the cultural traditions of British gypsies.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars poorly researched, September 1, 2009

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Judson Nirenberg - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gypsy Feast: Recipes and Culinary Traditions of the Romany People (Hippocrene Cookbook Library) (Hardcover)

The author has compiled some nice recipes and, if the reader's aim is to learn a new dish, this can be a fun addition to one's kitchen.

Unfortunately, she has very poorly researched her project and is utterly confused. She seems unable to understand the difference between the several, vaguely related cultures that are mentioned in the book. She includes as authentic Romani dishes many foods that are not a part of Romani culture across borders or not even possible for people living a more traditional Romani lifestyle to make.

If A Rom in New Jersey eats a corndog at the county fair or a Rom in Sydney, Australia goes to a sushi restaurant one afternoon, should we include a sushi recipe in a book of Romani dishes? She would if someone told her with a straight face that this is what all Roma grew up eating.

This book will not be useful to someone trying to better know Romani culture(s) or culinary norms. It will be useful for someone who wants to bake some unusual English and Balkan dishes.

9 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible of Romany cuisine - a Gypsy feast., August 29, 2004

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Robert Angelone (Wall, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gypsy Feast: Recipes and Culinary Traditions of the Romany People (Hippocrene Cookbook Library) (Hardcover)

Carol Wilson has written a true classic. Packed with facts, history and tons of great recipes that work when you cook them, this book is truly a Gypsy feast. With enough detail to meet any question you might have, this book is literally a Bible of Romany cooking. I can't wait for her next book. This one's a keeper. My copy is already dog-eared from using the delicious recipes. Truly, a Gypsy charm.