Magazine_October_2023

[Peru]
Spinach is
Rose’s (9)
favorite
vegetable
Speaking of Peruvian roots, many a
colleague will be envious of nine-year-old
Rose. Her mother was born in beautiful
Peru, and her roots can still be clearly felt
at home...
Rose begins: ‘My favourite food is
spinach, which I often eat at my grandma
and grandpa's house. It's so delicious!
But we also eat a lot of Peruvian food
at home. Do you know about Peruvian
food? Like a delicious stewed chicken,
my grandma often makes that. In Peru
we also have a weird purple drink that
tastes a little sweet. There's also cinnamon
and star anise in it, all mixed up together.
People in Peru drink it at mealtimes.
I don't actually like it that much myself,
but my mum and dad do. Do they have lots
of fruit and vegetables in Peru? You bet!
Mangoes, oranges, papayas, pineapples...
I like melons and limes myself. I've never
been to Peru though – but my dad has,
four times already! So has my brother.
He's 16 now and has already been to the
high mountains of Machu Picchu. I'd like to
go there myself one day. Do I want to work
at Aartsen when I grow up? Nah, I don't
think so. But I don't really know what I do
want to do yet either.’
[Italy]
Fresh fruit,
French fries,
or pizza?
Djeliah (7)
likes
everything
With an Italian father, you would expect pizza and pasta to be on the
favourite-food list. But Djeliah, age 7, reveals that her favourite food is
actually French fries. But pizza comes very close. Not to forget all the
delicious Italian fruit!
Djeliah: ‘I really like strawberries, apples and kiwi fruit. I often take those
to school. Oh yeah, and limes! They also grow in Italy. That's where my dad
comes from, he grew up on the island of Sicily. I've been there once, but I
was very little so I don't remember much. I think I would like to go back
there again. Sometimes we go to Italy on holiday, but this year we're off to
Spain. And to Disneyland. And the Efteling! Luckily I like all those places.
Do I like Italian food? You bet! Macaroni and pepperoni pizza are two of
my favourite meals. But I like eating everything to tell the truth. I'm just crazy
about food. Later I want to be an assistant in the supermarket, so I can
sell lots of pizzas and other Italian foods. That really seems like fun!
Or... maybe I'll work for Aartsen. Selling fruit and veggies. Mmm.’
32 | CULTURES
CULTURES | 33