Whats in a Name?
Is that your real name? I get that a lot.
Seems like everyone has known a dog named Queenie, or an ex-wife they've come to refer to as such. Oh, well. I'm known by a few different names and each one represents a poignant part of my history...
My given name is Vanessa. I agree with my Mother when she claims it's a beautiful name. You see, all the girls in our immediate family are "V's"...my Mother Vera, my eldest sister Victoria and our other sister Valerie. I even have an Aunt Veronica (who married a Victor, go figure!). My Mom is very proud of my name, so much so that often when someone says to her, "Oh, you're Queenie's mom!" she disdainfully replies, "No, I'm Vanessa's mother." Even though I've been known as Queenie for over 25 years, I've trademarked my nickname, and have built my ice cream business on that nickname, Mom still prefers to call me Vanessa. In fact, when the phone rings and someone asks for Vanessa, I know it's either my mom, the Department of Agriculture, or the IRS. (Usually I take a message, saying she's not in.)
My nickname is Queenie, in case you hadn't already figured it out. I was given the name in the late 1980's, while vacationing on Captiva. Wearing a straw hat that folded up and resembled a crown, someone exclaimed, "You're like the Queen of Captiva, wearing that crown!" Next thing you know, people were introducing me as, and calling me , "Queenie". I considered the nickname sealed when, in 1995, Dave Jensen and I were visiting Totch Brown at
his Everglades home and he told Dave, "Why, my bride's name is Queenie, too!" I considered it a proclamation made by Chokoloskee royalty.
But my favorite name is Grammy; which I am called by our two grandchildren, Sophia and Anthony. Most grandparents know that you cannot pick what the grands will end up calling you (ie, Nana, Yaya, Meemaw, Grams, etc.) so imagine my delight when, as soon as they could utter the word, our grandchildren chose to call me "Grammy". Some of my most treasured thoughts are of the memories I'd made on Captiva Island with my own Grammy. What a wonderful reminder of the endless nature of love! I wonder which of these three names I'll be remembered by? I'm glad I won't have to choose, as each one has played a significant role in my life.
Perhaps John Montagu never had cause to give much thought to his name, yet the circumstances that keep his identity current are quite significant. An 18th-century English aristocrat, John was the 4th Earl of Sandwich and history has it that he'd ordered his valet to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread; and others began to order "the same as Sandwich!" It is commonly said that Lord Sandwich was fond of this form of food because it allowed him to continue playing cards while eating, without using a fork, and without getting his cards greasy from eating meat with his bare hands.
Now, given that ice cream had been introduced in Europe about one hundred years prior, I've wondered if Lord Montagu was perhaps eating ice cream wedged between two brioche or a pair of biscuits? In the 1700's, ice cream was not yet being consumed by the general public, but reserved for royalty; so it would make sense that John, a patron of the finer things (arts, politics, etc), would have access to the icy stuff and, perhaps, go on to influence others to eat their ice cream the "same as Sandwich".
I say, "Bring me an ice cream sandwich!" But not the mushy, damp cardboard-tasting ones of your childhood summer-camp memories. Make mine with: My mother Vera's homemade "Windowpane" waffles! These rich waffles come from a recipe circa 1955 and are redolent of dense, buttery poundcake. Paired with a slab of Queenie's Very Strawberry ice cream, they make for a sophisticated dessert and an indulgent treat. or: Gluten-free Almond-Butter cookies and Queenie's Pure Vanilla ice cream!
A few years ago, I surprisingly developed a peanut allergy and, as a lover of all foods, I felt my body had let me down. In retaliation to this "false alarm" message sent to my brain by my immune system, I developed a recipe for the most delicious almond butter cookies that just happen to be gluten free, too. Ha! Take that, allergies! or: Queenie's Crunchy Cocoa-Nib Cookies with Queenie's Toasted Coconut Ice Cream (or Queenie's Cup O' Joe, or Queenie's Dutch Chocolate ice creams...either one goes great!) Another original Queenie recipe, these cookies are super-yummy and quite a bit less naughty than your tastebuds might think. Spelt flour, dried prunes, and cocoa nibs pump up the healthy-choice aspect, while the addition of organic, unrefined, cold-pressed coconut oil make a health-smart substitute for butter.
After you've been so good to yourself, why wouldn't you sandwich a slab of Queenie's ice cream between two of these tasty treats?
So, here's a toast (get it? toast!) to John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich ...and to all the names you'll be called in your lifetime...I pray they're all happy ones!
Queenies Ice Cream
16681 McGregor Blvd
#308
Ft Myers, FL 33908
(239)432-0098
Vanessa "Queenie"/"Grammy" Viglione is the founder of Queenie's Ice Cream, which is made in Fort Myers, sold through-out coastal SW Florida, and coveted internationally.
Thank you for the article, Queenie!
We're glad to be able to call you Friend.
Don't Miss our Featured Recipe section for
Queenie's Crunchy Cocoa-Nib Cookies.
