Remembering Marie Antoinette, Queen of France

Marie Antoinette, Queen of France (2 Nov. 1755–16 Oct. 1793)

On Friday, October 16th, a small group of friends gathered for our annual dinner in memory of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France and Navarre. Ordinarily, I would have organized a larger affair, but recent travels, work, family obligations, and preparations for an upcoming trip to Napoli had occupied much of my attention. As the occasion fell on a Friday, we eschewed meat in favor of an assortment of eggplant dishes, a veritable Sagra della Melanzana. Though modest in scale, the evening was no less meaningful, as guests raised their glasses in tribute to the martyred queen, whose grace, dignity, and courage continue to inspire devotion more than two centuries after her death. Viva ’a Reggina!

Caponata

Melanzane sott'olio

Polpette di milinciani

Pasta alla Norma