Q: Finally, a sensible question: Why can't squirrels make ratatouille? (Asked, I believe, by Sian, whoever that is) A: Now it's funny you should ask such a question, as recently I have done quite a bit of research in the library on the eternal squirrel/ratatouille question. It seems that it is not to do with inability to make such a meal. Obviously more normal squirrel delicacies such as raw nuts do not require much preparation, but in the colder months and in colder regions it is often easy to find a family of squirrels sat down to a nice, warming nut roast. Indeed, the more culinarily skilled squirrels do not even feeled restrained by this inclusion of nuts. There has in fact been a case recorded of squirrels attempting to go into the catering business, but unfortunately due to lack of funding it was not a success. Whilst squirrels have been seen to prepare and eat such meals as cheese on toast, pizza, various pies and many others, they have not been seen to make ratatouille. (It's worth noting here that a few of squirrels have eaten ratatouille when forced, but they did not prepare it themselves.) The reason for this I believe is the name. Rats are seen by the squirrel world as a real pest - often rats turn on the squirrels with violence and abuse as an objection to their obviously higher living standards - and the squirrels do not like the connection between these names. Because of this, ratatouille-like meals will be given other names, such as stew or nut surprise. Rats, on the other hand like nothing more than eating squirrelatouille. Needless to say, the name of the dish is unfortunately based around the name of the main ingredient. This has done nothing to improve squirrel/rat relations. |
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