Exploring Our Heritage with Food
The one common thing across the world is food. Every person on the planet requires food to survive. Enjoying food brings delight and satisfaction. A region’s culture is often identified by the food. Nebraska brags on our tasty beef and sweet corn. As families grow and move away from home, the memory of food connects them back to where they are from. Recreating a loved recipe from the past takes the person back to fond memories, reports Extension Assistant Lori Swanson. A family often shares a recipe going back generations. The recipe may even be from their country of origin.
Holidays are a time when the historic family recipes are served. A family of Irish descent may enjoy potatoes and cabbage more often than just St. Patrick’s Day. A Swedish family may celebrate Christmas by sharing potato bologna and ostakaka, a Swedish custard. The sweets commonly served in South Africa, koeksisters and ystervarkies may be served at a modern wedding. Each of these recipes takes the people of today back to where the family is originally from. Food reflects the values and beliefs of different communities. This sharing of food preserves cultural heritage.
Recording and sharing recipes should be an active part of family history. It is just as important as sharing family photos. A great place to start is finding the original family recipe and taking a photo or making a copy to share. The next time the recipe is cooked for family and friends, share this copy with everyone who is there to enjoy the meal. Invite younger members of the family into the kitchen to create the family recipe alongside you.
A creative display of the recipe can be done by framing the recipe along with photos of a family meal. A shadow box with the original recipe card, stains, and all, with grandma’s cookie cutters would be a conversation piece. Using a permanent fabric marker and writing the recipe on a tea towel would make an excellent gift.
Tasting new foods gives a small insight into a region’s customs. If traveling to an exotic location isn’t in the budget, explore the culture by making the regional food at home. A culture’s food includes local ingredients and cooking techniques. Larger grocery chains carry a variety of international food choices. Look for new recipes at the local library in a variety of cultural cookbooks. You may find a new connection with flavor and foods.
Recipes may change to reflect today’s cooking techniques or to incorporate the local food sources. These changes encompass the most current history of a family. Incorporating new and old recipes with family and friends creates a chance to share and explore cultures from around our community and the world. Food is common to everyone. Good food and heritage should be shared and enjoyed.
For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension Office or on the web at: food.unl.edu Nebraska Extension In Our Grit, Our Glory.
UN–L for Families
Nancy Frecks, Extension Educator
Nebraska Extension