So far this winter I’ve been sick about 520 times. I’ve even managed to get a stomach flu on top of the sinus infection and strep throat that I already had. My doctor says I need to sleep more. She’s wrong. She doesn’t realize that viruses in the Netherlands have an immigrant integration test of their own. Once I get through winter, my immune system will be holding it’s very own resident permit.
Until then, I’m eating local. What better way to fight local viruses than eat local vegetables? I don’t even need to drag myself to the Dapper Markt to buy them. A friendly lady runs a vegetable stand across the street from my apartment.
On the menu today–celeriac. And yes, she understood me the first time I asked for it in Dutch!
If celeriac were a character in a Pixar movie, Boris Karloff would have to rise from the dead to provide it’s voice. Even politically correct NPR calls it “The Vegetable World’s Ugly Duckling.” But don’t let this gentle root scare you. The French have been eating it as “céleri rémoulade” for centuries, and we all know they’re on to something with that jolie-laide thing.
Today, I peeled it with a paring knife, cut it into cubes and sauteed it in butter with a shallot, a garlic clove and a potato. I added everything to a pot of vegetable broth to simmer. After about 35 minutes, I pureed the mixture with a wand mixer. Voila– a splendid soup that even a sick person can make.
Tomorrow, hopefully I’ll wake up one step closer to my immune system residency permit–only 56 more tomorrows until spring.
Got a great celeriac/knolselderij recipe? Please post the link below!
I had the same experience my first winter in France. I had no immunity to all of the local bugs… I have never been so sick in my life. I know local honey is supposed to help with local allergies. Maybe give that a try as well? Hope you are feeling better soon. – Marta
Thanks Marta. I never heard that about local honey–but I know people often use pollen for medicinal purposes. I’ll give it a try. I think a little bit of sun would also help!
Your post is so timely. I have been playing Russian Roulette for the past 8 weeks and 2 days and it finally hit me. Good old Montezuma came a’knocking. Call it what you will — Montezuma’s Revenge, Delhi Belly, whatever — it sucks! Not the worst case I’ve ever had so I know I am in for more over time, but I didn’t want to limit myself to nothing but vegetables with a skin you peel and no ice for the next couple of years so I have been less than rigid with my food and water choices. I don’t know if it’s really possible to build up an immunity to these things, but I’m giving it a good try.
I hope you’re feeling better soon!