Happy Columbus Day!

Hello Everyone,
These October days seem to be flying by way to fast; here it is October 12th, already. Like my handsome Spanish Conquistador friend above, I would like to wish you all a safe and Happy Columbus Day.
Christoper Columbus was an Italian Navigator, who with funds and 3 Ships provided him by King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain, set out to find a western ocean route to Asia. He left from Palos, Spain in the Flag ship Santa Maria on August 3, 1492. Problems with the Nina & Pinta necessitated a one month delay on the Canary Island. He set sail again on September 3rd, sailing until a sailor aboard the Pinta sighted land on Oct. 12.
Columbus and a crew of 90 men disembarked their ships and ventured onto what they believed would be Asia, but was in fact the Bahamian island of Guanahan. Disappointed to not have achieved his goal and yet totally in awe that he discovered a continent that had yet to be discovered by Europeans.
He may have missed his mark for trading with Asia, but Europeans were more than thrilled with the exotic array of food items he brought back with him:

sting beans
kidney beans
lima beans
chocolate
corn/maize
potatoes
tomatoes
&
tobacco

These are Columbus's true legacy; for were would Italian cooking be without the tomatoe, the the Irish without the potaoe, or Swiss without chocolate. Think about it. And more important, where would we be without all of these?


Hugs,
Penny