That was different in the 50s and 60s. The time when almost every Dutchman had breakfast, had lunch with their own drum and milk cup, and ate a practice at home in the evening — with perhaps another cookie with tea in between, or a drink at the weekend — is long gone. On average, Dutch people eat and/or drink nine times a day. Adults use an average of seven snacks.

The food was cheap and simple in the 50s and 60s. Brown or white bread with margarine, with cheese, jam or peanut butter and a mug of tea or milk. There were no other flavors, at least we didn't have them at home. We ate no sandwiches, no porridge, no yogurt with muesli, no brinta, no crackers, no butter, no sprinkles. The hot meal consisted mainly of potatoes, vegetables and (a little bit) meat. Minced meat day on Wednesday and a beef steak on Sunday. We never ate fish. Yes, except for my father's catch if he had caught fish from the Nootdorp puddles. Once a year, an eel at the fair and a few times mackerel for bread.


What vegetables?
Cauliflower, applesauce, kale, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, green beans, cucumber, tomatoes, endive, lettuce, spinach, chicory, beetroot, teat, winter carrot, rutabaga, rhubarb, onion, leek. We ate boiled vegetables and everything with the potatoes was mixed up with a dimple for the greasy gravy.

Forgotten vegetables

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