Potatoes

[Selmo]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I've always thought of lembas as similar to Yorkshire oatcakes.

Elves from the North might eat Yorkshire oatcakes but more discerning Elves from a little further South would, of course, consume large quantities of Staffordshire oatcacks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/local_her...e_recipe.shtml


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[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Selmo

Elves from the North might eat Yorkshire oatcakes but more discerning Elves from a little further South would, of course, consume large quantities of Staffordshire oatcacks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/local_her...e_recipe.shtml


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Fah for oatmeal adulterated by plain flour, sugar and milk!

Perhaps Tolkien himself considered the divisions of the elves as originating in their culinary differences and preferences. I would be inclined, however, to think that the more southern elves would likely display the unfortunate consequences of consuming the oatcake with the larger amount of sugar. It was perhaps these elves who would leave traces of their footprints in the snow where the northern elves would demonstrate that fabled lightness of slender elves.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Perhaps Tolkien himself considered the divisions of the elves as originating in their culinary differences and preferences. I would be inclined, however, to think that the more southern elves would likely display the unfortunate consequences of consuming the oatcake with the larger amount of sugar. It was perhaps these elves who would leave traces of their footprints in the snow where the northern elves would demonstrate that fabled lightness of slender elves.

Hmmm... then I suppose you advocate the Keeblerian Theory which surmises that Southern Elves became industrious bakers after they diminished, whilst the Northern Elves, with their Noldorin penchant for crafting, drifted to the polar regions, became disciples of Tom Bombadil (who by now was very white bearded and stout), and continued their creative traditions.

[Lalwendë]

Well Bb, you know, I think I recall one of these sorts of 'oatcakes' back in the mists of my memory. They were the sort of dry, vile thing that your gran might bring back from a day out in Harrogate (as if to underline how thankful you ought to be for being Lancastrian and only ever having to tackle such things as black pudding ).

They aren't any day-to-day part of the Tyke diet however, unlike the superior Staffordshire oatcake, which is eaten by natives of the county daily (and also by me when I can get them).

However, going back to po-ta-toes, I still rather like the idea that Lembas was basically potato cakes.

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Hmmm... then I suppose you advocate the Keeblerian Theory which surmises that Southern Elves became industrious bakers after they diminished, whilst the Northern Elves, with their Noldorin penchant for crafting, drifted to the polar regions, became disciples of Tom Bombadil (who by now was very white bearded and stout), and continued their creative traditions.

Actually, if I am not mistaken, the Keeblerian Theory has come to be seen as something of an anachronism, with much fandom discourse loudly clammering over the Emperor Palinate Doctrine which claims that the Noldorian Elves were doomed when they looked over their right shoulder and saw the Great Enemy from their Northern Wastes of Alaskabad. Fearing to fall prey to the Evil Eye, they forsook the Southern Brotherhood, who had championed bread over circuses, and attempted to suspend the First Age.

What is more plausible from my limited view of matters is that Tom Bombadil has quite likely invested a large share of his worldview in these matters.

What this has to do with the price of potatoes in lembas I'm not sure but I hear that panic may be ensuing in the fandom for fear that lembas will no longer be consumed by any elves.