More Restaurant News & Reviews

• Doris Reynolds: Displaying wealth and status for every occasion that occurs in life, even death
• The Dish: A conversation with chef Brian Roland
• A taste of Eastern Europe opens in Naples

Tell us about it

• What would you add to this story? Tell us what we missed.
• Do you have photos from this event? Documents we need to see? Share with us.
• Upload photos & videos
• More ways to get your stuff online and in the paper.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

Share and Enjoy [?]

Halloween is nearly upon us and along with the hobgoblins, witches and sundry other spooky spirits, we can turn to our superstitions and indulge ourselves in an orgy of fear and foreboding. Merriam-Webster defines superstition as a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance and a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary.

There are thousands of superstitions and even the enlightened, sophisticated and pragmatic surrender to beliefs that are totally irrational. Without even thinking about it, I throw salt over my shoulder when it’s spilled accidentally. When I moved into a new house a few years ago, I made sure that I put salt on the doorstep so that no evil would never cross the threshold. On the other hand, I don’t complain when soup is served too salty: As a child I was told that salty soup is a sign the cook is in love.

Thirteen people at table is regarded as unlucky because of its association with the Last Supper, which saw 13, including Judas Iscariot. The ill luck of 13 is heightened if, by chance, the 13th of the month should fall on a Friday. The full impact of this irrational superstition has manifested itself in many ways; it is nearly impossible in French cities or towns to find a house numbered 13. And don’t ask for room 13 in any French hotels, because there are none. Many skyscrapers, skip floors from 12 to 14.

In Norse mythology, 12 gods dined at Valhalla, their heaven. The uninvited 13th guest turned out to be the mischief-making Loki, who arranged for the blind god of darkness to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with an arrow tipped with mistletoe. Balder died and the earth became dark and everyone mourned.

Ship sailings have been postponed because the date fell on Friday the 13th. To offset this superstition there are Thirteen Clubs, which meet only on Friday the 13th. And thousands of brides have chosen to be married on the 13th and a few even went so far as to have 13 attendants.

There are many superstitions about food that remain an integral part of our belief system. One of the oldest is the superstition regarding the spilling of salt. Many people automatically throw some over their shoulders, indicating a reverence for one of life’s necessities. Not surprisingly, there are many theories regarding the origin of this belief. Some historians maintain that it began in ancient Egypt where salt was regarded as a sacred symbol. In Biblical days, salt was precious and a gift of salt was regarded as a sign of loyalty and friendship. In Leonardo’s “The Last Supper,” Judas is seen overturning the salt, and this, many etymologists say, is the real reason for the salt superstition.

There are all sorts of theories about superstitions regarding eggs. In ancient Rome they used to break the shells of eggs, which they had eaten, in order to prevent enemies from making magic with them. This ritual is still practiced by many who believe that after eating an egg, the shell must be demolished. Since the egg was regarded as an emblem of nature, it became a substance that was both mysterious and sacred. People were convinced that magicians used eggs in their incantations, emptying them and drawing magic from inside the shell. By crushing the shell, one was able to destroy the evil spell.

Some superstitions are positive, such as the belief that rosemary grows only where the woman of the house is master. It’s also believed that rosemary worn about the body strengthens the memory and adds to the success of the wearer. In Wales, it’s desirable to have spoons made from rosemary wood which, they believe, makes all food picked up by them nutritious.

There are many superstitions connected with weddings. The custom of throwing handfuls of rice over newly married couples as they come out of the church is supposed to symbolize abundance and prosperity.

Other superstitions include a warning to not eat melon in autumn because, at that time of year, they cause fever. And as soon as the fruit trees begin to blossom, all jam is said to ferment. Cucumbers eaten in August will cause gastric problems and a winter of colds and fever.

To prevent drunkenness, take the lungs of a hog and roast them. If a man eats these, after fasting all day, he will not get drunk the next day no matter how much he drinks. And if all else fails, an old superstition admonishes the wife of drunkard to cure him by putting a live eel in his drink.

As a child I remember my grandmother telling me that when a knife falls, gentleman calls; fork falls, lady calls and when a spoon falls, a baby calls.

During the Halloween celebration, apples play an important part in the rituals. Children will be delighted to know (or perhaps not) that if they cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, they will know how many children they will have.

Halloween has many rituals and superstitions that over the years have focused on fun and celebration. Although one must celebrate with care and wisdom, it’s still a time when children and grown-ups alike revel in a fantasy world. Instead of being fearful that the goblins are “gonna getcha,” gather your friends and family together and have some fun! That’ll overcome any superstitions you might have about the sinister ghosts lurking in the shadows!

ASK DORIS

Q: I spent the summer in Naples with a friend and enjoyed your column. I am back in my home in Utah and hope that you can provide me with a recipe for eggnog cake. I have been searching for this recipe for over 10 years. — Pauline Henderson, Provo, Utah.

A: This is an ideal recipe for the holidays, especially with such good commercial eggnog available.

EGGNOG CAKE

1 cup butter, softened

½ cup vegetable shortening

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup commercial dairy eggnog

1 cup flaked coconut

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon coconut extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream butter and shortening and gradually add sugar, beating well at medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Using a spoon, add flour to creamed mixture alternately with eggnog, beginning and ending with flour. Mix just until blended after each addition. Stir in coconut and flavorings. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 90 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Doris Reynolds is the author of “Let’s Talk Food” and “When Peacocks Were Roasted and Mullet Was Fried” along with the DVD, “A Walk Down Memory Lane with Doris Reynolds. They are available for sale in the lobby of the Naples Daily News. E-mail Doris Reynolds at foodlvr25@aol.com