HUNGRY GERALD

The golden age of cuisine Chez Ida Freeman (HG’s Mom) ended circa 1942.  That year Ida Freeman discovered Victor Lindlahr’s radio program: “You Are What You Eat.”   The criminal Lindlahr energetically promoted salads of grated carrots and raisins; raw shredded cabbage with vinegar; steamed vegetables; wheat germ; prune juice. HG could continue to wander through this chamber of horrors but, gentle reader, you get the idea.  Victor Lindlahr took his place among my Mom’s pantheon of idols which included President Roosevelt, union leader David Dubinsky and actor Paul Muni.  Banished from the table was the obligatory bowl of chicken fat to be smeared on rye bread or challah.   No more gribenehs (crisp bits of rendered, fatty chicken skin very similar to, forgive me, Mom, pork cracklings or Puerto Rican cuchifritos). Farewell high calorie potato and noodle kugels.   No more daily doses of blintzes and potato latkes.  Yes, all of these earthy goodies appeared on special occasions but they no longer were part of the everyday Bronx routine.   Lindlahr had cast his evil spell.   Ida Freeman had become (partially) an All-American health nut believer.  HG suffered.   Oy vey!!!