The publication of a sweet children's book about tomatoes coincided with the waning of the tomato season here in the San Francisco Bay Area and made me think of my late mother.
Ethnic foods definitely preserve cultures, brings people and nature together and holds many nostalgic memories for all! Indians I know are food centric but I wonder if people of other ethnicities spend as much time and effort on meal preparations and stocking the pantry and refrigerators. It’s a full time job, all done in the name of nutrition, health and of course some indulgence. Your essay captures all our exact feelings and thoughts about food and people.
Prema, I too wonder how many families actually gather for a meal and make food an important aspect of their time together. I think we’re so fortunate to pass on these stories to our kids through food. Even now when I visit my mother-in-law she tells me stories in the kitchen of old times. I’m often in awe at how difficult life was in the villages compared to the cities. She has a story for each dish about someone who said or did something, you know?
Lovely article! South Indian foods passed down through generations are healthy too. Don’t use much oil. Proteins from variety of lentils and the do’s and don’t advise from our grandma’s is still fresh in my memory.
Ethnic foods definitely preserve cultures, brings people and nature together and holds many nostalgic memories for all! Indians I know are food centric but I wonder if people of other ethnicities spend as much time and effort on meal preparations and stocking the pantry and refrigerators. It’s a full time job, all done in the name of nutrition, health and of course some indulgence. Your essay captures all our exact feelings and thoughts about food and people.
Prema, I too wonder how many families actually gather for a meal and make food an important aspect of their time together. I think we’re so fortunate to pass on these stories to our kids through food. Even now when I visit my mother-in-law she tells me stories in the kitchen of old times. I’m often in awe at how difficult life was in the villages compared to the cities. She has a story for each dish about someone who said or did something, you know?
It took me back to the kitchen , its smells and most importantly my mom buzzing in the kitchen from dawn to midnight!
Wow….then you should look at the book, dear!
Wow!
Lovely article! South Indian foods passed down through generations are healthy too. Don’t use much oil. Proteins from variety of lentils and the do’s and don’t advise from our grandma’s is still fresh in my memory.