December 4, 2009

10 Reasons I Love Gascony

Ten reasons barely scratch the surface. But it's a start.


1) The Armagnac
Deep caramel flavors and fruity aromas. Very special stuff indeed.



2) The Landscape
Uncrowded and dotted with treasures to discover. Gascony is often referred to as "the land of milk and honey."



3) The People
Friendly, passionate and always willing to share a recipe or two, give restaurant recommendations or to just stop and chat.



4) The Towns
Nérac, Agen, Condom, Auch. A lifetime wouldn't be enough to explore them all.



5) The Fritons
Crispy, salty, fried duck skin. Need I say more?



6) The History
The Hundred Years war, King Henri IV, The Wars of Religion. Gascony's history is layered and rich.



7) The Pigeonniers
Why do I find them so charming?



8) The Foie Gras
Silky, rich and utterly irresistible.



9) Les Pruneaux
Dried or pitted and stuffed with natural cream or Armagnac infused cream. What a treat!



10) Kate Hill
Dynamic, kind and devoted to the region, its food and the people who grow and produce it.
I can't say enough kind things about her. If you have the opportunity to study Gascon cuisine with Kate at her Kitchen at Camont, you must!
It is an incredible and unforgettable experience

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16 comments:

Jim K said...

Chez LouLou - what town is that in photo 4? Nice post, we enjoy your blog.

Mlle Paradis said...

Oh! LOVED this post! I spent a day once in Castera-Verduzan and ate at Le Florida. OMG! Too dreamy eating. Still dream about that delicious meal and that mellow countryside. Thank you for reminding me. You are so lucky to be there.

Mlle Paradis said...

p.s. do the old guys still wear the big flat berets?

Vivi said...

Wow, this is a revelation! Definitely putting it on the list now!

deedee said...

Can I add that I love the white wine from your region :)

Jennifer said...

Thanks Jim! That photo was taken in Nérac.

Mlle Paradis
I'm glad that you enjoyed the post.
I loved my visit there and plan on going back as often as I can!
Saw a few men wearing the big berets, so I guess the fashion hasn't gone out of style. :)

Vivi
You must go! It is a very special place indeed.
Then you'll have to head down to the Languedoc to visit me!

deedee
from Gascony? or from the Languedoc? (I think they're both great!)

Kate Hill said...

I think this earns you an Honorary membership in the La Belle Gasconne Kitchen Sisterhood! thanks for coming and sharing your wonderful take on my beloved Gascony.

Jennifer said...

Kate
It was easy to share such my thoughts about such a fabulous place. I truly love it there.
Thank you for the honorary membership to the Sisterhood! I will treasure it always and plan to make regular pilgrimages to imbue myself with even more of the Gascon spirit.
Merci Kate!

Maria said...

chez loulou....i am depressed. you live in this amazing place and i live in southern california....yuck!!!! please keep sharing ;-)

Barbara said...

What a beautiful piece of the world. I'd be very happy living there.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

10 very good reasons too! I would be happy living there. The people are very important, how wonderful to share things with.

Jennifer said...

maria
southern California has some beautiful spots too!
(but I wouldn't trade it for France, so I'll keep sharing)
:)

Barbara
Gascony is wonderful! And so different from where I live in the Languedoc. I love getting to know the different regions of France.

Anne
You'll have to make a trip down some time. You would love it!

Jane said...

I don't even want to leave my house today. If I leave the curtains pulled I can imagine that the south of France is just on the other side.

sigh.

Jennifer said...

Jane
Hope the rain has stopped and that you a nice day of daydreaming. :)

Paola Westbeek said...

We visited this summer and fell in love with this area so much that for the first time, we're repeating the same trip!! I bet we'll discover a million new things though! Can't wait!

Jennifer said...

Paola
There are so many things to discover in Gascony, I can see why you want to return.
I can't wait to go back myself!