I am 72 years old and I can tell you that it’s the infusion of cuisines from around the world that has made “American food” much more interesting and palatable! We are a nation of immigrants and the variety and availability of so many new flavors and foods makes dining much more exciting than what I recall from my youth.
I'm always grateful when you write an essay. Praise be to the essay. There are too many videos--who has time to watch? Pas moi. But the essays are always illuminating and they distill the problems. Thank you.
My son spent some time in India. To this day he only eats with his hands:). Great essay. I can't stand what is happening in this country. I pray we come out of this better and united.
Ha ha. In my 1950's home we had the likes of pork chops. fish sticks, tuna casserole and spaghetti with cheap hamburger meat. Not counting mac and cheese from a box, and of course, Wonder Bread, KooliAid and Jell-o. If I hadn't met Jackie Chan, who's parents had a Chinese restaurant, I might have never learned to recognize rice or a vegetable other than canned peas. Oh, yeah, America, let's all us go back to them good ol' days.
Sounds like we had similar experiences with food. Later in life, my dad became more of a “foodie” and took over the cooking when he retired. Just after I was out of college, we had a year where each week we found and tried any kind of interesting non-American food we could find, which was a feat in my part of California! Just last week I had a fabulous Middle Eastern? meal in San Francisco and thanked my dad for opening up our tastes to new and much more interesting flavors.
Thumbs up. These days we eat Thai, Indian (north, south, and central), Chinese (mandarin and szechuan), Thai, Mexican, Italian, Gulf Arabian, Pakistani, Korean, and Iranian. Used to eat Ethiopian, but we moved. Unhappy face emoji.
As usual, people have completely forgotten history. Wasn't one of the reasons Columbus set sail was to be able to bring back spices, those rare and valuable spices? Wasn't one of the reasons for the Silk Road to be able to trade, among other things, spices. I wonder if Stephen Miller only eats salt and maybe, pepper, but even those are technically spices.
What do immigrants eat? Food with fantastic flavors, interesting preparations that are creative, indicative of their cultural ideals and such amazing variety! Since our daughter was small, and whenever I (our family) visit the 'big' cities'. (we are out in the boondocks..!) I have made a beeline for the mom and pop ethnic stores (as well as the big ones!) no matter what they are, and love the stalls and aisles of interesting and enticing smells and packaging (or not!). It is a joy to be in there looking and wondering what the writing means on this package or how some little seed or nut would taste on something.. It always amazes me (and disappoints) me that often I am not joined by many other whiteys if at all - like they avoid the places?! The store managers/owners and shoppers were ALWAYS welcoming and so happy to have us in there and they often patiently answered my endless questions of "how do you cook" or "eat this"...or "what can I do with___"...or "what else goes with___". or "what is this"? They so often delighted in sharing snack suggestions, or their favorite ways of preparation, foodie stories, or gave warnings; "hot, very hot!!!! use only one sprinkle! when I looked at a tiny jar that seemed too small with only one hole to sprinkle it out...!)-(BTW, they were so right! - when I used two sprinkles - oh my! ...whew! I never did more than one after that!) Once when a grandmother told me to cook something for 3 -hour,(I was a bit surprised at the timing and asked really?) the grand-daughter interrupted... 'she means minutes', then launched into an intense conversation in the home language with lots of facial expressions and hand waving that were all too obvious what was being explained in spite of the language barrier! We all had a laugh about it and we all wiser for it! Oh, I could fill a book with all the beautiful sharing and welcoming and tasty plates and bowls full of interesting and creative foods we have had as a result. For one, I am SO grateful that immigrants of all kinds from every corner (of this round) globe have come here to work, brought their foods to eat, love, share and brave it here to make a life for ALL of us. May they cook and eat in peace. They deserve it. Our pantry and meals are more interesting because of them with their generosity and sharing.
Reading your essay reminded me of how my parents had to stretch their budget by preparing meals that were inexpensive but could fill our stomachs. We ate plenty of what my Dad called Spanish rice, spaghetti, and beans and ham bone. My folks were white and born here as were their parents. Since my husband and I work with refugees, we have had the amazing experience of eating dishes from Africa, Afghanistan and Syria. We love eating the flavors of the world and embrace the differences they bring to our life.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay about what America has gained from immigrant cultures. As a Latino from Puerto Rico I enjoy our cuisine and I’m grateful the ingredients are ready available at my local Shop Rite. I have also adopted foods from other parts of Latin America and the world. My pantry and spice shelf are full of things like Patak’s ready made sauces, Za’atar, Curry, Nan rounds are a staple in our home, Sriracha goes with everything, ginger, and many others. I love my global cuisine.
You’re a wonderful, thoughtful and engaging writer. It was a pleasure to meet you and chat briefly a little less than a year ago in an East Village clothing pop-up when we were visiting our college granddaughter. You might recall that I double checked whether or not I was subscribed after telling you I was. Best wishes to you and your family. Thank you for your good work. ♥️
LUNU SAMBOL (perhaps this is spelled wrong 🤷🏼♀️) I have only ‘heard’ it as I learned to make it for a cultural exchange: Canada World Youth…late 80’s…25 bright, energetic, BEAUTIFUL young people from Sri Lanka came to share their culture with 25 Canadian youth. We cooked for them, so, had to learn the various dishes and to make tea you couldn’t ruin if it steeped all day!
It was a WONDERFUL experience, and, especially the FOOD! Karibat, curries, basmati rice, and some even brought their own pepper shakers from home! 🔥
If Donald Trump wants ALL immigrants out…and I doubt he will stop at one country’s…they will leave behind a precious gift of their original homes…foods that Trump will never appreciate as he heads toward ‘Cheeseburger in a blender, sucked through a straw’ …
Breaking bread together is one of the most FRIENDLY & GIVING things any two cultures can share.
The opposite is happening right now in the USA, but, never fear…the RECIPE FOR RENEWED RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IS IN THE BOX GRANDMA LEFT US, AND SOON WE WILL BE COOKING AGAIN…hot & spicy, colourful and pungent, a party in the mouth…
So…do not ‘eat your heart out’…EAT WHAT TRUMP WILL NEVER TRY…he probably doesn’t even eat broccoli, because ‘He didn’t wanna!’😩…👶…😝.
Thanks, Anand for reminding me of how glorious Indian food can be! 😋
Back in the 1970s I spent a year teaching kindergarten in New York’s Chinatown. Most of the children spoke a Chinese language at home, and ate traditional foods. We had a discussion about favorite foods we ate out with our families. The kids loved McDonalds. I loved Chinese food as a child- was wielding chopsticks by age 5. We all had a good laugh and a greater sense of belonging together.
I grew up in Montana, where we ate beef, potatoes and vegetables almost nightly. In my early twenties, I moved to San Francisco, where I was introduced to a new world of food. I’ve never stopped loving food from all over the world. It’s what makes me happiest.
I am now in my seventies and I’m astonished that we have millions of people that want to go backwards with policy, food, racism, morality and now concentration camps. I grieve everyday for all that we have lost and continue daily to lose.
And lest we forget the horrendous, macabre and vicious comment of Noem that one immigrant deported was a cannibal and was eating themselves on the deportation flight. White, Christian, American nationalists. Very scary group.
I am 72 years old and I can tell you that it’s the infusion of cuisines from around the world that has made “American food” much more interesting and palatable! We are a nation of immigrants and the variety and availability of so many new flavors and foods makes dining much more exciting than what I recall from my youth.
Agree! I'm that age also and grew up in Minnesota and I'll tell you for sure, there wasn't much flavor around then.
I'm always grateful when you write an essay. Praise be to the essay. There are too many videos--who has time to watch? Pas moi. But the essays are always illuminating and they distill the problems. Thank you.
DITTO!
My son spent some time in India. To this day he only eats with his hands:). Great essay. I can't stand what is happening in this country. I pray we come out of this better and united.
Ha ha. In my 1950's home we had the likes of pork chops. fish sticks, tuna casserole and spaghetti with cheap hamburger meat. Not counting mac and cheese from a box, and of course, Wonder Bread, KooliAid and Jell-o. If I hadn't met Jackie Chan, who's parents had a Chinese restaurant, I might have never learned to recognize rice or a vegetable other than canned peas. Oh, yeah, America, let's all us go back to them good ol' days.
Sounds like we had similar experiences with food. Later in life, my dad became more of a “foodie” and took over the cooking when he retired. Just after I was out of college, we had a year where each week we found and tried any kind of interesting non-American food we could find, which was a feat in my part of California! Just last week I had a fabulous Middle Eastern? meal in San Francisco and thanked my dad for opening up our tastes to new and much more interesting flavors.
Thumbs up. These days we eat Thai, Indian (north, south, and central), Chinese (mandarin and szechuan), Thai, Mexican, Italian, Gulf Arabian, Pakistani, Korean, and Iranian. Used to eat Ethiopian, but we moved. Unhappy face emoji.
As usual, people have completely forgotten history. Wasn't one of the reasons Columbus set sail was to be able to bring back spices, those rare and valuable spices? Wasn't one of the reasons for the Silk Road to be able to trade, among other things, spices. I wonder if Stephen Miller only eats salt and maybe, pepper, but even those are technically spices.
What do immigrants eat? Food with fantastic flavors, interesting preparations that are creative, indicative of their cultural ideals and such amazing variety! Since our daughter was small, and whenever I (our family) visit the 'big' cities'. (we are out in the boondocks..!) I have made a beeline for the mom and pop ethnic stores (as well as the big ones!) no matter what they are, and love the stalls and aisles of interesting and enticing smells and packaging (or not!). It is a joy to be in there looking and wondering what the writing means on this package or how some little seed or nut would taste on something.. It always amazes me (and disappoints) me that often I am not joined by many other whiteys if at all - like they avoid the places?! The store managers/owners and shoppers were ALWAYS welcoming and so happy to have us in there and they often patiently answered my endless questions of "how do you cook" or "eat this"...or "what can I do with___"...or "what else goes with___". or "what is this"? They so often delighted in sharing snack suggestions, or their favorite ways of preparation, foodie stories, or gave warnings; "hot, very hot!!!! use only one sprinkle! when I looked at a tiny jar that seemed too small with only one hole to sprinkle it out...!)-(BTW, they were so right! - when I used two sprinkles - oh my! ...whew! I never did more than one after that!) Once when a grandmother told me to cook something for 3 -hour,(I was a bit surprised at the timing and asked really?) the grand-daughter interrupted... 'she means minutes', then launched into an intense conversation in the home language with lots of facial expressions and hand waving that were all too obvious what was being explained in spite of the language barrier! We all had a laugh about it and we all wiser for it! Oh, I could fill a book with all the beautiful sharing and welcoming and tasty plates and bowls full of interesting and creative foods we have had as a result. For one, I am SO grateful that immigrants of all kinds from every corner (of this round) globe have come here to work, brought their foods to eat, love, share and brave it here to make a life for ALL of us. May they cook and eat in peace. They deserve it. Our pantry and meals are more interesting because of them with their generosity and sharing.
Reading your essay reminded me of how my parents had to stretch their budget by preparing meals that were inexpensive but could fill our stomachs. We ate plenty of what my Dad called Spanish rice, spaghetti, and beans and ham bone. My folks were white and born here as were their parents. Since my husband and I work with refugees, we have had the amazing experience of eating dishes from Africa, Afghanistan and Syria. We love eating the flavors of the world and embrace the differences they bring to our life.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay about what America has gained from immigrant cultures. As a Latino from Puerto Rico I enjoy our cuisine and I’m grateful the ingredients are ready available at my local Shop Rite. I have also adopted foods from other parts of Latin America and the world. My pantry and spice shelf are full of things like Patak’s ready made sauces, Za’atar, Curry, Nan rounds are a staple in our home, Sriracha goes with everything, ginger, and many others. I love my global cuisine.
I am sorry Indian food is in fact one of the best, as it often follows Ayurvedic principles, the oldest medicine tradition in the world
Thank you Anand 🌿🫠
You’re a wonderful, thoughtful and engaging writer. It was a pleasure to meet you and chat briefly a little less than a year ago in an East Village clothing pop-up when we were visiting our college granddaughter. You might recall that I double checked whether or not I was subscribed after telling you I was. Best wishes to you and your family. Thank you for your good work. ♥️
I love love to eat Indian, African and every other new and interesting dishes. That is how humans survived over the millennium.
I grew about in San Francisco.
Going to different friends home after school was my introduction to the rich pageantry of food from around the world.
LUNU SAMBOL (perhaps this is spelled wrong 🤷🏼♀️) I have only ‘heard’ it as I learned to make it for a cultural exchange: Canada World Youth…late 80’s…25 bright, energetic, BEAUTIFUL young people from Sri Lanka came to share their culture with 25 Canadian youth. We cooked for them, so, had to learn the various dishes and to make tea you couldn’t ruin if it steeped all day!
It was a WONDERFUL experience, and, especially the FOOD! Karibat, curries, basmati rice, and some even brought their own pepper shakers from home! 🔥
If Donald Trump wants ALL immigrants out…and I doubt he will stop at one country’s…they will leave behind a precious gift of their original homes…foods that Trump will never appreciate as he heads toward ‘Cheeseburger in a blender, sucked through a straw’ …
Breaking bread together is one of the most FRIENDLY & GIVING things any two cultures can share.
The opposite is happening right now in the USA, but, never fear…the RECIPE FOR RENEWED RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IS IN THE BOX GRANDMA LEFT US, AND SOON WE WILL BE COOKING AGAIN…hot & spicy, colourful and pungent, a party in the mouth…
So…do not ‘eat your heart out’…EAT WHAT TRUMP WILL NEVER TRY…he probably doesn’t even eat broccoli, because ‘He didn’t wanna!’😩…👶…😝.
Thanks, Anand for reminding me of how glorious Indian food can be! 😋
Back in the 1970s I spent a year teaching kindergarten in New York’s Chinatown. Most of the children spoke a Chinese language at home, and ate traditional foods. We had a discussion about favorite foods we ate out with our families. The kids loved McDonalds. I loved Chinese food as a child- was wielding chopsticks by age 5. We all had a good laugh and a greater sense of belonging together.
I grew up in Montana, where we ate beef, potatoes and vegetables almost nightly. In my early twenties, I moved to San Francisco, where I was introduced to a new world of food. I’ve never stopped loving food from all over the world. It’s what makes me happiest.
I am now in my seventies and I’m astonished that we have millions of people that want to go backwards with policy, food, racism, morality and now concentration camps. I grieve everyday for all that we have lost and continue daily to lose.
And lest we forget the horrendous, macabre and vicious comment of Noem that one immigrant deported was a cannibal and was eating themselves on the deportation flight. White, Christian, American nationalists. Very scary group.