The sustanciero or saborero was an ancient form of subsistence in Spain, consisting of renting a ham bone for a certain period of time to make broth.

[1][2]

Historia edit

During the post-Spanish Civil War era, the term 'sustanciero' referred to an individual who, equipped with a ham or beef bone tied to a string, would go from house to house, inserting it into pots for a few minutes to 'flavor' meals, for an agreed-upon price (usually one peseta per quarter of an hour). Currently, this means of earning a living is part of Spanish historical memory, and although it might have been practiced occasionally, it cannot be considered a profession like that of a water carrier or honey collector. Especially when considering that one peseta during the post-war period was not a negligible amount to spend on a quarter of an hour of boiling an already flavorless ham bone.[3][4]

References edit

  1. ^ Valle Martín JL. El sustanciero alcalaíno. Puerta de Madrid. 25/03/2017; 49(2.463):16.
  2. ^ Villar Esparza C. El cabrero de vez, el saborero y el hermano del palo luz. (Estampas de antaño en tierras del Campo de Montiel). Castellar de Santiago.org Consultado el 01/05/2017.
  3. ^ Antonio Núñez. «El sustanciero» Archived 2010-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. Diario de León. Artículo de opinión del 30 de octubre de 2007.
  4. ^ «Junto al cubo». Diario español La Vanguardia. Ejemplar del 15 de febrero de 1966. Página 6.