Every country has their culinary tradition. Here in Limburg, a province in the South of the Netherlands, we have our “vlaai” pie, which is old Germanic for “flat” pie. The same word that flan pie gets its name from.

Vlaai, a fruit pie or tart, prepared as it has been for centuries, has been a source of pride for the locals here. No birthday is complete without the birthday boy’s or girl’s favorite vlaai. In my illustration I represent the history with a character from Bruegel the Elder’s painting. In his painting “Netherlandish proverbs” we can see these pies sitting on a rooftop. The proverb goes: “Their roofs are covered with vlaai”. The vlaai pie was a status symbol that showed that you were well off with enough resources to afford such a treat. Today though, everyone is now able to enjoy this cultural filled delight!