Posted by Bruce Bilmes and Sue Boyle
, July 03, 2009 10:53
OK, class, please turn to page 368 in 500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late (and the Very Best Places to Eat Them). Now who can tell us… What’s that? A few of you still haven’t purchased your own copy? Before we go any further please click on the title of the book above and have one sent to you posthaste. You can’t graduate without it. We can wait . . . . . . . . . . . . Done? OK, now where were we? Right, Basque cuisine!
Jane and Michael Stern ask three questions at the start of their entry about Basque dining in 500 Things… : 1. Are you extremely hungry? 2. Do you like garlic? 3. Do you really like garlic? They say if you answer yes to those three questions then you need to sit down to a traditional Basque dinner as served in Nevada, Idaho, and California. We say that you also need to attend the 46th Annual National Basque Festival in Elko, NV. The festival begins at 6 pm this evening in front of Stockmen’s Hotel, where there will be Basque music and dancing. The festival continues through Sunday.
Of course, food plays a big part in this festival. Sunday there will be a shepherd’s bread contest. After an 11 am Catholic Mass, the breads will be auctioned off. That will be followed at noon by a picnic lunch: the menu includes lamb chops, tri-tip, paella, beans, Basque salad and bread, and wine, with ice cream and cake for dessert. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children. $3 chorizos will also be available.
Besides the music and dancing, there will be feats of strength competitions to put Festivus to shame: contestants will be lifting weights, chopping wood, and competing in a tug-of-war. There’ll be relay races, handball competitions, a 5K run, and 10 am Saturday parade. There will also be a mountain sheep dog exhibition. Fireworks will be set off Saturday night, followed by an evening dance at the Basque Clubhouse. For more information see the festival website.
