When contemplating the origins of things, we ponder the possibilities. At times, we attribute the reason for why certain things are the way they are to a particular individual or event. However, upon deeper reflection, we seek answers to our questions. Sometimes, these answers come to us naturally without having to search for them and we are left in awe of their magnificence. To understand how the world works, we must start from the beginning before we know where we are going.
The book "The Food of a Younger Land" by Mark Kurlansky offers an interesting insight into how our world has been shaped by certain influences which we still experience today. Boiled dinner, a one-pot meal that was a staple in my family, is a great example of this. I was surprised to learn that it originated from a particular state. This book aims to inform us that before the era of great highways, refrigeration, and fast food chains, families had their own unique dishes that were available in their area or region of origin. Making its way to the dinner table hundreds of miles from where it originally began.
Did you know that everyday words like "cocktails," "raspberry," and "cup of joe" have interesting histories, particularly when it comes to food language? In the book, "Romaine Wasn't Built In A Day: The Delightful History of Food Language" by Judith Tschann, you can discover the origins of these words and more. For example, did you know that Caesar salad was actually created by a Californian in Mexico? And that hushpuppies were originally given to dogs to quiet them down while their owners fried fish? These fascinating stories and more await in Tschann's book.
Of all the things I love, history holds a special place in my heart. However, I believe that there is so much more to uncover and explore beyond what we already know. While old customs continue to fade away, they also pave the way for new and exciting innovations. The more we learn, the better we come to understand the roots of our present-day reality. That's why I am grateful for historians of all kinds who work tirelessly to reveal the missing pieces and complete the stories.