You know the Japanese style of frying vegetables and seafood, lightly battered, known as Tempura? According to my dictionary the word is derived fron the Portuguese tempêro (seasoning). Sounds a bit dubious, I mean to batter and fry something isn't to season it, and it's not like the Portuguese language lacks for words describing various methods of preparing foodstuffs, is it?
As usual, the real story is much more interesting. Portuguese and Spanish missionaries in the mid-Sixteenth Century introduced this style of cooking meatless meals on days of fast and abstinence. Apparently the locals loved it and it caught-on bigtime. It took its name from a Latin name for the Ember Days, Quatour Tempora, i.e. "Four Times". How's that for a little inculturation?
So you can tell that story to your friends next time you enjoy some shrimp or vegetable tempura at your favorite Asian restaurant and they'll marvel at your mastery of odd knowedge!
I meant to include this little tidbit in Wednesday's post but completely forgot. Fortunately Fr. Z. had a mention of it today so I'm posting it now while it's still timely.
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