Books in the Food Cultures in America series

Regional American food culture still exists and is strongest in more rural, homogenous areas of the country. Regional foods are a major component of regional identities, and Americans make a big to-do about their home-grown favorites. The current food cultures of the major American regions-northeast/New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the South, the West, the Midwest-and subregions are illuminated here like never before. Everyone knows something about the iconic fare of a region, such as Soul Food in the South and New England clam bakes, but with this resource readers are able to delve wider and deeper into how Americans from Alaska to Hawaii to the Amish country of the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard sustain themselves and what their food lifestyles are today.The unique regional food cultures that have developed according to natural resources and population are increasingly affected by social and economic trends. Increasingly mobile Americans generally have access to the same fast food and supermarket chain offerings, read the same mass market food magazines and watch the cable food shows, and younger generations may have less time to continue family food traditions such as baking the ethnic breads and desserts that their mothers did. Regional American Food Culture discusses the various traditions within the context of a new millennium. Narrative chapters describe the background of the regional food culture, what the primary foods are, how the food is cooked and by whom, what the typical meals are, how food is used in special occasions, and diet and health issues in the regions. A chronology, resource guide, selected bibliography, and illustrations complement the text.

Like other Americans, African Americans partake of the general food offerings available in mainstream supermarket chains across the country. Food culture, however, may depend on where they live and their degree of connection to traditions passed down through generations since the time of slavery. Many African Americans celebrate a hybrid identity that incorporates African and New World foodways. The state of African American food culture today is illuminated in depth here for the first time, in the all-important context of understanding the West African origins of most African Americans of today.Like other Americans, African Americans partake of the general food offerings available in mainstream supermarket chains across the country. Food culture, however, may depend on where they live and their degree of connection to traditions passed down through generations since the time of slavery. Many African Americans celebrate a hybrid identity that incorporates African and New World foodways. The state of African American food culture today is illuminated in depth here for the first time, in the all-important context of understanding the West African origins of most African Americans of today.A historical overview discusses the beginnings of this hybrid food culture when Africans were forcibly removed from their homelands and brought to the United States. Chapter 2 on Major Foods and Ingredients details the particular favorites of what is considered classic African American food. In Chapter 3, Cooking, the African American family of today is shown to be like most other families with busy lives, preparing and eating quick meals during the week and more leisurely meals on the weekend. Special insight is also given on African American chefs. The Typical Meals chapter reflects a largely mainstream diet, with regional and traditional options. Chapter 6, Eating Out, highlights the increasing opportunities for African Americans to dine out, and the attractions of fast meals. The Special Occasions chapter discusses all the pertinent occasions for African Americans to prepare and eat symbolic dishes that reaffirm their identity and culture. Finally, the latest information in traditional African American diet and its health effects brings readers up to date in the Diet and Health chapter. Recipes, photos, chronology, resource guide, and selected bibliography round out the narrative.