Kroket (Croquette)

My French colleague C. told me the first time she discovered what kroket was, she was very surprised. She was in Holland for a short time and heard of it as something to be eaten by humans. "What do you mean ?" I asked. "Because kroket comes from the French word croquette, doesn't it ?" She replied: "Mais, non ! it comes from croquer, break hard things with your teeth. Like these hard foods for dogs and cats, that they have to destroy with teeth and chew, in order to clean and exercise their muscles in the mouth. "

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I read a couple of weeks ago on newspapers that since the recession started in Holland, the consumption of snacks such as bitterballen, french fries, cheese souffle and kroket has raised 15%. The explanation for such fact is that consumers are looking for most trustful, comfort food. Is seems that the kroket with its hard exterior and a mild, soft interior is comforting. I can tell you: it tastes to burnt paper and you just cannot guess what exactly the inside is.