Dictionary of Food and Nutrition

A dish can become a national dish for a  variety of reasons. It can be the national dish because it is a staple daily food for the majority of the population. It can be the national dish because it represents the regions and ethnicities of the whole country. Or it can be the national dish because it represents the regions and ethnicities of the whole country. Or it can be the national dish because it incorporates locally produced ingredients. National dishes are part of a nations identity and self image. During the age of European empire building nations consciously developed a national cuisine as a matter of distinction from their rivals. (jacket)