Chapter 21: Irene Windler - My neighbor (2)
Polenta refers to a dish made from easy-to-find grains like corn, barley, or chestnuts, cooked into a porridge-like consistency.
While the texture is intentionally coarse, giving it a rough feel when eaten, this is part of its charm. Made from easily accessible ingredients, it’s a popular dish among commoners, as it can be made in large quantities and is quite filling.
However, if prepared properly, it can be as delicious as any other dish, and it provides a strong sense of fullness even when eaten in small portions, making it suitable as an emergency ration.
More than that, it's not just eaten like porridge. When cornmeal or barley flour is added and it’s hardened, it turns into something akin to...
‘A delicious rice cake.’
It becomes a chewy, flavorful corn cake with its characteristic coarse texture as part of its appeal. With a hint of goat cheese and herbs, it’s far from bland. It makes for an excellent and hearty meal.
“This is a clever way of preparing it. I’ve eaten it like porridge before, but this way, it’s different and kind of addictive.”
“I learned this while working at an inn, oh no! I mean, back when I was doing part-time work! It’s so tasty, I’d make it for myself often.”
“Is that so? I’ve never seen it prepared this way. Mind telling me which inn it was? I’d like to try it myself.”
“Oh, uh, the inn probably doesn’t exist anymore. It was, uh, a long time ago.”
“Really?”
“Y-yes!”