#and this isn't a thing to say 'stop insulting my country's food' idc!! go ahead I will laugh along because it's fine

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I'm n0rthern lrish and our food culture isn't really much of a thing, and I know most people outside n0rthern lreland try the food I grew up eating and say it is the blandest thing they've ever tasted in their life, how can I eat this stuff etc etc. and it IS bland af

but I moved to n0rway a year ago and I've had the worst year of my life (unrelated, I love n0rway) and I just made this pasta dish I grew up eating and the sauce is cream, butter, and black pepper. people might find it's too bland but there is something so comforting and gentle about eating the stuff my dad made me growing up. and people in my life have complained about it or insulted it, even jokingly, so much that I get embarrassed to cook for people or I laugh along and say "haha yeah I know" but I wouldn't trade n0rthern lrish food for anything right now

I have a real disconnect from my cultural identity because I'm not involved in the politics of my country and it feels like that is the basis for our entire culture (since it is the entire reason my country exists). I left n0rthern lreland because I wanted something more than the politics but now, it's often food that makes me feel a connection and I don't know. there's something really nice about that