I Spy… A Tourist!

It’s easier to spot American tourists in Paris than fireworks on the Fourth of July. The expensive digital cameras, huge detailed maps, and shopping bags of souvenirs are all pretty good clues. But the dead give-away? Their shoes.  

 

Tourists wear tennis shoes. Parisians, quite simply, do not. They’re much too chic and stylish to wear Nike running shoes as they walk around the city. Instead, they sport gladiator sandals, ballet flats, or—the closest they’ll get to tennis shoes—Pumas. Anyone with Adidas, Oasis, or Saucony brand shoes is guaranteed to be foreign.

 

We were some of the least fashionable people as we wandered around Paris, but since we trekked 6-8 miles every day to see all of the sights, we wanted our feet to be comfortable. When our stomachs began rumbling at the Notre Dame, we skipped out on the restaurants, where our shoes wouldn’t have fit in, and instead stopped at a patisserie for a quick lunch. Back at the garden behind the cathedral, no one stared at our ugly American shoes, and we happily ate our delicious fougasses (like a focaccia or flatbread) in peace.

 

 

Fougasse aux Courgettes

(Focaccia with Zucchini)

serves 3

Parmesan or mozzarella cheese would work well if Asiago isn’t available. Serve with a fresh green salad.

1 loaf of French bread

6 tbsp tomato paste with garlic

1 zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch thin rounds

9 tbsp grated Asiago cheese

¾ tsp dried basil

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Slice bread into three vertical pieces, and slice each piece horizontally. Spread 1 tbsp of tomato paste on each of the 6 pieces. Evenly distribute the zucchini on top, and sprinkle each pieces with 1½ tbsp of cheese. Top each piece with ⅛ tsp basil.
3. Bake for 8-10 min, or until cheese has melted and bread is crusty. Serve immediately.

 

 

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