Fernando's Kitchen

This is a recipe from my friend Fernando for Tortilla de Patatas. He also has posted one for Gazpacho.

Fernando is the former roommate of my friend that lives in Barcelona. I spent some time with him 20 years ago in Spain, and last year at his home in Marin County.

Stephen lived in a large apartment at the corner of Casanova and Aragon in Barcelona. He had quite a collection of roommates that came and went. Some were from English speaking countries - some were from Spain. Fernando was a Spanish boy. The roommates would speak Castilian with Fernando, but many times the conversation was in English. Stephen tells the story that after a year or so of living with them, one evening at the table Fernando suddenly asked a question in English, and then finished the conversation in English. He had never studied English in school, and his only exposure had been their daily talk. From that point on he spoke with them in English.

I was a little incredulous - but then I got to know Fernando. He married one of the roommates, Kathleen, and they moved to California - where she was from. Once in the Bay area, he got a job laying tile at a construction firm that specialized in historic renovations. He now owns the firm. When I visited last summer, again I was reminded how remarkable he is. He owns a company, manages people, attracts new business - all easier said than done. He cooks all of the meals (superbly). When the guitars come out after dinner, as they often do at his parties, he proves himself to be the best musician. He actually has a little band out there, Pomelo, that performs on weekends and such.