National Ugly Sweater Day is celebrated on the third Friday of December each year and in 2024 that’s TODAY December 20th…. Did i find the perfect sweater or what? LisaRoxanne’s is on point too…

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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It’s always surprising to me when food or drink holidays normally associated with warmer weather shows up on the cooler days part of the calendar — like today’s “food” ‘holiday’…

Join my PATREON platform at any level free or as a paid supporter to read my post: “A Sweet Spin: Looking at & Learning a ‘lil History on National Cotton Candy Day” [including video clips of it being made in real time]…. and you can look forward to learnin a lil sumthin while ENJOYing along the way…

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁

…[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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National Gazpacho Day: A Journey Through History and Connected Culinary Cultures…

Gazpacho’s history is deeper and way different than many might realize. First some way back historical context: It originated in Andalusia, the southern region of Spain, during the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) when the Iberian Peninsula was under Moorish rule (for 781 years — from 711 to 1492). A substantive and transformative time for the region’s culture and cuisine. The Moors are described as being: Arabic, Muslim, and African (yes, including Black Africans from the subsaharan region) who introduced a range of innovation to Europe including but not limited to on the food and drink fronts: agricultural innovations, spices, and culinary techniques that left an indelible mark on the Iberian kitchen.

I had no idea (and most Americans or people anywhere still have no clues) that Africans of all hues had a multi century highly influential presence in Europe pre-transatlantic slave trade. This intel got only my radar many moons (ok DECADES) ago during an undergraduate study abroad program at the Universidad de Salamanca, in Spain. I remember strolling through a Spanish national portrait gallery with my jaw-dropped looking at portraits of Black African nobles dressed in regal attire—an image that completely shifted my understanding of Europe’s history and the diversity of the Moorish interactions with and influences on that continent. …

Back to One of The World’s Most Famous Cold Soups:

The original gazpacho bore little resemblance to the chilled or room-temp tomato-based version we know today (& featured in my 2013 photo below of a DELICIOUS gazpacho I made once upon a time…). In the Middle Ages, tomatoes weren’t even part of the picture in Spain yet. Tomatoes are native to the Americas and didn’t arrive in Europe until well after Spain’s conquest of Mexico in 1521. Early gazpacho was a simple, resourceful dish made with stale bread, olive oil, vinegar, water, and garlic, all pounded together in a mortar and pestle. The name “gazpacho” is from an Arabic word for “soaked bread,” in fact…

Fast forward to today, and gazpacho is a vibrant, zesty concoction made primarily from New World ingredients: tomatoes, bell peppers (each with Mezo American origin) and cucumbers (from Africa). It’s fascinating to consider how much of the modern version of gazpacho owes its existence to the “Columbian Exchange”—a global reshuffling of foods, plants, and culinary cultures. …

That’s all on this saucy soup for now — Let’s raise a spoon to this soup’s rich history and the many cultures that have contributed to its story!

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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91 yrs ago today on December 5, 1933:

Constitutional Amendment Twenty-one : the “Repeal of Prohibition” was the 21st amendment to the US Constitution — ratified on December 5, 1933 — and in doing so it repealed a previous (Eighteenth Amendment implemented in 1919 — which had established a nationwide ban on the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in America.) ….

Oh so wait, did that 18th Amendment NOT establish a ban on the CONSUMPTION of alcohol? For FOURTEEN YEARS (1919-1933) during that “dry” American period aka the “Prohibition” era?

… And if it DIDN’t why were bars and juke joints and speakeasies consistently raided and people arrested?

For the answers to these Q’s and MORE, join my PATREON to learn lots of un-taught “missing history” that’s more inclusive than you might’ve ever imagined American history could be….

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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“I present to you one of my most innovatively impromptu fritter fabrications ever!… (🥁 drumroll):

“Wakanda Forever” Black Rice Fritters! …🙌🏾🙌🏾

YES b/c they’re black and full of flavor… AND b/c I whipped them up right after we got back from seeing the movie! [the day after Thanksgiving , aka BLACK FRIDAY in Nov of 2022]

Made from lefter over black rice (a hybrid of long grain black Indica and Venus grains) that i'd simmered up as a side dish the day before as a T Day side). To make the fritters on the fly I folded in diced green pepper 🫑 & onion 🧅 , egg 🥚 , rice flour 🌾 , salt 🧂 pepper and other seasonings 🧄 🌶️ to taste. Then spooned out dollops into a cast-iron skillet with plenty of hot peanut oil to fry ‘em up for a few min on each side … [BECOME A PATREON SUPPORTER TO GET THE RECIPE]

Regardless of whatever they look like to you, let me tell you, these fritters were supremely scrumptious! …Crispy and crunchy around the edges, softer and semi chewy towards the middle … The perfect accompaniments dipped into a deliciously saucy 🍅 slammin’ (and rice-less!) jambalaya dish my ‘Play Cousin Big Sister ‘ Lori made the day prior …😋 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Special shout-out to ‘Play Cuz Baby Bro Nephew’ Jamil for his excellent sous cheffing + videography skillz !…

Happy National Fritters day!” CHECK OUT any of the links below for even more

‘TFG FRITTER DAY FODDER :

Crispy Akara (Black Eyed Pea Fritters) mini vid

Crispy Ákárá Take TWO! mini vid

WAKANDA FOREVER FRITTERS mini demo & recipe in action

CORN FRITTERS Fry Up in Action

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🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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it’s THANKSGIVING! Arguably the biggest American foodie holiday of all . Parked in a month that is at long last known as Native American Heritage Month : a long overdue acknowledgment given this group’s tremendous contributions to the entire world’s food supply … including iconic traditional dishes on T Day tables everywhere: potatoes (mashed or sweet), corn (prepared in myriad ways)….squash,

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I’ve got some special T-Day treats for my PATREON Peeps including info on this uniquely American holiday’s history, articles I’ve dropped some hidden history knowledge about Thanksgiving, video convos and special TFG show segments focused on today’s topic — the most foodiest of all American holidays . Feel free to join us over there for all of that, and in the meantime enjoy this carousel of select T-Day food beauty shots from the various and sundry Friends-giving suppers I’ve been blessed to be invited to over the years. Since I fly from NY to CA for Christmas and Kwanzaa each year, Thanksgiving is always an awesome opportunity for me to spend quality time with extended family everywhere else including Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington State and here in NYC sometimes too — Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn! Usually all I have to do is bring an awesome bottle of something — except for when i’m with my Indiana crew and get assigned all kindsa slammin’ (sometimes odd) SIDES to make like fried green tomatoes, ‘Wakanda Forever’ black rice fritters, real wild rice cultivated by indigenous tribes which I learned aaaaallll about from my friend & fella food historian Sarah Lohman (see if you can spot some a those sides in the carousel above ) VISIT BACK CLOSER TO TDAY FOR THE COMPLETE CAROUSEL OF PICS THANKS! …

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It’s also Hawaiian Independence Day! 🌺🍍🥭🌴🥥🍹🏝️🐠…

Celebrated on November 28 to commemorate the signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation of 1843, which officially recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom's independence and sovereignty … (from??)

For more on this including pics with contemporary Hawaiin chefs and mixologists , become part of my PATREON for free or at a supportive paid level of your choice (high or low, all support is appreciated!)

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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it’s DRINKSGIVING DAY! the day & eve before the biggest American foodie holiday of all is all about the liquids apparently …. and this year just might just be the biggest DrinksGiving on record 😶….

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I’m stirring up some special Drinksgiving-Day treats for my PATREON Peeps …. in the meantime & for erry body else, enjoy the above carousel of drinks beauty shots i’ve amassed over the years. Beautiful beverages (and the multi-hued hands holding them) might just be my favorite thing to photograph…

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Become part of my PATREON for free or at a supportive paid level of your choice (high or low, all support is appreciated!) for drink demos and recipes!… YOU CAN ALSO GIVE THE GIFT OF MY PATREON PAGE to yourself or the favorite foodie (and/or drinks lover) in your life!…

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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National Cranberry (Relish??) Day is Nov 22nd

• I’mma have to google this and get back to ya’ll b/c I have never even heard of this and therefore perplexed as to why it has a full holiday lol … I assume it’s that most famous Thanksgiving side dish but this is not what we called it in my household…we called it cranberry SAUCE!…

National Eat a Cranberry Day is on the 23rd

• I love the idea of exploring ways to eat cranberries in a variety of ways includingraw, cooked, in dishes, and of course juiced as a key ingredient in COCKTAILS!….

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …

[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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Cosmic coincidence I showcased the same dish highlighted here in a totally different type of tv show yrs later…

In the episode titled “What Does the Bee Do?” Chalky White (played brilliantly by actor Michael K. Williams (b. Nov. 22 1966- d. Sept 21 2021) …”returns home from jail and requests Hoppin’ John, a traditional Southern dish. Instead, his wife serves English peas and duck, leading to a tense dinner conversation where Chalky expresses his frustration over the meal not aligning with his desired comfort food”. ~ ENTERTAINMENT TIME

From a Black Culinary Historian’s perspective. I would describe that quite differently . There’s SO much going on in this rare, short 3 minute scene that so vividly illustrates issues of: class within a Black racial construct; respectability politics and posturing; etiquette in the context of hospitality; early 20th century courtship and gender roles; the reality of colorism within the African American / Negro / Colored Peoples history and culture — as well as stereotypes and expectations rooted in historical truths. I could go on and on, BUT I have to say:

Become part of my PATREON COMMUNITY at any level (for free or as a financial supporter at a high or low level — grateful for all) to see this dynamic and expertly acted scene for yourself and just what i’m talking about…

Special shout out to actor Michael K. Williams on his heavenly birthday: A star whose brilliance burned intensely. His artistry, generosity and humanity continues to inspire…

🎁 GIVE THE GIFT OF THE FOOD GRIOT’S CULINARY (& COCKTAIL!) CREATIVITY TO YOUR FAVE FOODIE and/or DRINKS lover THIS YEAR ! 🎁 …[LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE]

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Nov 18th is National Cider Day in the U.S. where this holiday focuses on the enjoyment of cider, especially hard cider. Become part of my Patreon for more on the fascinating history of cider in America including who America’s original cider makers were. One guess…

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind food & drink ‘holidays’ like this one

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National Homemade Bread Day: an annual food ‘holiday’ that encourages amateur bakers of all walks to make homemade bread, something our ancestors from all over had to do on the daily before you could buy it already sliced in plastic bags…

Speaking of, can you spot the entirely moldy bag of bread I spotted once — and snapped 2(!) pics of before I alerted the manager at a fancy grocery store in my gentrified ‘hood…

Anyway, each pic below has some kinda culturally-rooted story, Join my PATREON for more and learn the link between ancient beer and bread making that originated in on the African continent…

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind these and other food & drink ‘holidays’

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I’ve always been in the camp that we as individuals have the power to decide what FAST FOOD is and can be… You’ll have to join my PATREON for more on what I mean about that.

In the meantime, check out this dynamic video post where I connect culinary dots between Fast Food and AfroFuturism and enjoy a few of my personal pics of classic fast food fare…

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind food & drink ‘holidays’ like this

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Lord only knows why i have so many interior pics of my and various and sundry family members refrigerators… No surprise you’ll have to join my PATREON for the back story on WHY 😆 .. [there is a clue below]… Oh AND for the fascinating rarely told history of Black inventors, patents, and such involved in the development and evolution of REFRIGERATION! You’re Welcome America! but then again that’s pretty obvious that America has always felt quite wlelcomed to Black ingenuity, talent, ideas, creations.. especially all thats cumutively made life in America so much more comfortable, convenient, ...scrumptious!… and so on …

In the meantime, check out my carousel of interior fridge pics , semi- symbolic of the peace i find in establishing sembances of order within these cold storage pantries of sorts …

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind food & drink ‘holidays’ like this

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Happy National Pickle Day!

I'm pretty passionate about pickles — sour, salty, tangy, spicy, garlicky that is — no sweet pickles (nor relish!) for me 😝 …You can pickle just about anything and the art and science of pickling goes way waaay back by the way. It’s been part of countless food cultures around the world for ‘forever’ …

[this POST — along with some hidden history (and the app to download delicious quick pickle recipes!) CONTINUES ON MY PATREON PLATFORM. Please join at any level thanks!]

For now enjoy this carousel of pickle pics i took at various sundry places like New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and workshops I’ve conducted at Weeksville Heritage Center…. :

And here’s a link to one example of the pickling & pepper sauce making workshops and demos I do (hands-on & you go home with your own customized container of delicious pickles — but also complete with culinary history intel & storytelling) which are increasing in popularity. Contact me here to schedule yours: https://www.thefoodgriot.com/sign-up

Join my PATREON if you’ haven’t already and are interested to learn the oft untold history behind daily food & drink ‘holidays’ like this one…

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Roasting … Roasting is one of the oldest cookery techniques still popular and sometimes preferred in contemporary culinary arts arenas. Rather dangerous to do over open fires back in the day, today whether we’re in modern kitchens or historic locations, we can experience the art and science of roasting not only in much safter situations but also in quite comforting and soul-soothing ways, and with all of our senses engaged: From the crackling sounds to the rich savory aromas that emerge along with deep, caramelized colors that came about from the fire —that also serves as a source of warmth while transforming the food for us. And the ultimate reward: that confluence of crispy, juicy, tender textures and amazing flavors that follow a flame flickering food demo… [Hey If you’re in NYC this Dec 13th 2024, check out this event I’m cohosting where you’ll get to experience some of what i’m describing here! ]

Join my PATREON for more [including intel on the probability that roasting anything anywhere most likely (ok actually) originated on the African continent. Duh…

AND to get copies of the roast-themed menus and food history intel I served up to go with ‘em at the Old Stone House of Brooklyn for the inaugurel hearth cookery program we pulled off wih Chef Washington during the pandemic…

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn more inclusive versions of the history behind food & drink ‘holidays’ like this one…

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The ingredient of VANILLA and the CUPCAKE itself have such hidden histories BAKED in but most (by design) folks have no clue. Lucky you to have the tireless work of yours truly, The Food Griot to help set the record(s) straight…

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind all kinds of odd food & drink ‘holidays’…

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and you know what Nacos go well with right?! That’s right — ELÉCTRICO Mezcal!… stay in touch to find out when the next Electrico Experience is happening so you can see for yourself…

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind all kinds of ood & drink ‘holidays’…

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While I have much more of a savory vs. sweet palate, and am not really a candy person, I found some fab candy shop shots in my iPhone that I took way back in the day (2015) that were so colorful and cute I was compelled to share for the candy lovers of the world (which are most humans as far as I can tell 😆… )

Oh AND b/c it gives me the chance to share with you from a food history perspective what a huge role African American women played in the early American candy businesses and later the industry at large. And on a more serious note, obviously before then how candy would’ve never been possible without SUGAR, the main ingredient from the crop that was the primary driver of the transatlantic slave trade for centuries. All to satisfy the “sweet teeth” of the oppressors who benefited from its sweetness in countless ways — financially and literally….

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind all kinds of foods & drinks…

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I’ll actually be judging a SANDWICH MAKING contest today! That’s right, you can HIRE ME for stuff like that. In the meantime, If you’re in Brooklyn today and would like to attend this ‘free foodie fun’, click here or the image below for more info!

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Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind all kinds of food & drink ‘holidays’…

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NOV 2ND IS

Day of the Dead

All Souls Day

& ON THE FOOD FRONT it’s:
National Deviled Egg Day

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind special days these and food & drink ‘holidays’…

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November 1st is:

• World Vegan Day

• Go Cook for your Pets Day

• the first day of Diwali…

• National Pâté Day

• National Vinegar Day

• National Calzone Day

• National Cinnamon Day

• National Cook For Your Pets Day

• National Deep Fried Clams Day

• the first day of Dia De Los Muertos…

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Here’s what we have to look forward to on the culture front — November is:

• National Gratitude Month : naturally for the month that houses the biggest American foodie holiday of all, THANKSGIVING!…

• National Native American Heritage Month : a long overdue acknowledgment given this group’s tremendous contributions to the entire world’s food supply …

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For the whole foodie month of November , here’s what’s happening in November which is:

Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month

National Fun with Fondue Month

National Pepper Month

National Rice Awareness Month [do you see ANY MENTION OF AFRICA in this mainstream source? Ironic (and unacceptable IMHO) considering the rice industry in the US and throughout the Americas is based on that ancient African grain and the ingenuity and tireless toil of the captured and enslaved people who made it possible . Yet it is conspicuously absent, never mentioned in 99% of these types of ‘resources’. That’s why I do what I do. And if you care about this too, your support of my work at any level would be appreciated. See also Patreon links below..

National Roasting Month

Peanut Butter Lovers Month

Join my PATREON if you’re interested to learn the oft untold history behind these and other food & drink ‘holidays’

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For the fascinating FOOD (& DRINK!) HISTORY behind Halloween and other Spooky Seasonal Stuff, become part of my paid PATREON community where we can interact and you can inquire directly.

Or CONTACT ME HERE if you’re interested in specific culinary history project work or consultation…

STAY TUNED FOR MORE SPOOKY SEASON PICS thru mid Nov…

CLICK HERE or on the photo below For DETAILS ON THE HALLOWEEN HAPPY HOUR I’M CO-HOSTING up AT HARLEM HOPS on 10/31/24…

LEARN ➡️MORE ABOUT MY PATREON PLATFORM ⬅️HERE

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Believe it or not, it was BEER’S AFRICAN ORIGINS that breathed life into early AMERICAN BEER-making, via the ingenuity of captured and enslaved Africans who’s applied, ancient brewing wisdom, passed down generationally (and matriarch-aly!) since the beginning of time, seriously resolved the hurdles that European settlers kept encountering when trying to make beer the only way they knew how …but couldn’t crack the code…

Yes, beer does indeed have a global history. Nonetheless it’s earliest origins (and most diverse expressions via varied super grain-sources) were always throughout the continent of Africa — the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of brewing for humankind...

What does that have to do with AMERICAN BEER you ask? Well… if you wanna know more about my research, writing and work on this topic — you have at least two options:

• You could head up to Harlem Hops on the upper-upper west central side of the isle of Manhattan, NYC where you’ll find highlights of my commissioned work on this topic on a chalkboard column at the end of the bar ➡️…

• Or you can see a virtual version right here on the ➡️ Harlem Hops website⬅️

• There’s also a postcard version at their Pier 57 location (see postcard pic below)…

• AND/or you could Join my Patreon (EXCELLENT CHOICE! 😀) for access to the more detailed story…PLUS:

• One of the many benefits of joining my Patreon is you’ll also get the (almost unbelievable!) backstory on the pushback I got from mainstream food (& drink) media outlets who couldn’t quite wrap their heads around this truth nor shed their mythological beliefs that beer originated from Bavaria (or elsewhere in the Germanic part of Europe) when the truth is that it did NOT…

• As a TFG PATRON you’ll also stay in the loop as I continue to connect dots from past to present for myriad ways that you can experience ages-old and refreshingly different beer styles via contemporary BIPOC and Women Beer Makers…

In the meantime, ENJOY THIS link to HIGHLIGHTS from a conversation with friend/colleague/client Kim Harris one of the co-owners of Harlem Hops and Other BEER HOLIDAYS from TFG Calendar Posts

National Beer Day:

National “Rotate Your Beer Day

Beer Lover’s Day

Beer & Pizza Day

International Beer Day

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[carousel above ⬆️ = various & sundry Park Slope pumpkin pics i’ve snapped over the years — this time of year…]

Pumpkins (originally cultivated by indigenous peoples throughout the Americas…) are a member of the gourd family — as are zucchini , and cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons (originally cultivated by indigenous peoples throughout Western and Central Africa )… And all of these foodstuffs are actually fruits, not vegetables by the way…

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Oct. 26th is also Chicken Fried Steak Day & guess what?! I happened to share the history behind that decadent southern dish in this ➡️ Food 52 video featuring a delicious cooking demo (& recipe!) by the talented Chef Millie Peartree… [you can also access the episode via linked photo below]

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Today’s Food & Drink ‘Holidays’ Include:

World PASTA Day

National BREAD STICK Day
National GREASY FOODS Day!…
Global CHAMPAGNE Day!

For the fascinating FOOD (or DRINK) HISTORY behind any or all of today’s topics, become part of my paid PATREON community (where you can also see videos & hear commentary of hand rolled pasta onsite at a uniquely New York pasta bar….) [CONTACT ME HERE if you’re interested in specific culinary history project work or consultation]

FOR NOW, ENJOY A (primarily pasta & Champagne) PHOTO SHOW from my phone. It’ll be obvious that some of the pasta pics qualify for the greasy foods category too 😆:

This post was made using original photos (full of stories) from my iPhone: T. Hopkins aka @TheFoodGriot…

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Today’s Food (& Drink!) Days include :

Bologna Day…

Dr. Pepper Day…

Jamaican Jerk Day…

Tripe Day…

National and 🌎 World Food Day

For the fascinating FOOD (or DRINK) HISTORY behind any or all of today’s topics, become part of my paid PATREON community where we can interact and you can inquire directly. Or CONTACT ME HERE if you’re interested in specific culinary history project work or consultation…

FOR NOW ENJOY A PHOTO SHOW:

More Jamaican Jerk pics from here (and there!) :

This post was made using original photos (full of stories) from my iPhone: T. Hopkins aka @TheFoodGriot…

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NUTS. Wow, there are so many different directions this blogpost could go in 😆…

⬆️ Each of my original pics in the photo carousel above serves as a symbolic portal to all kinds of historic and contemporary intel on this wide ranging and ages old food source for so many mammals, humans included of course — who consume nuts of all kinds raw, roasted, toasted, candied, baked into pies and morphed into other mediums like crackers or creamy spreads…

Nuts have been a vital food source for humans the world over for thousands of years, treasured for their health benefits as a source of protein, healthy fats, and minerals. So clearly there’s a whole lot of food history there. Early hunter-gatherers relied on them for their rich nutrient density and portability. Further along the timeline ancient cultures began domesticating and cultivating certain nut varieties.

In early America, African Americans (enslaved and Emancipated) were the nations first nut candy creators and vendors all along the Eastern seaboard. Black Culinarians were lauded for creative applications of nuts in pies, candies and cakes….

PS. Peanuts are not a nut variety FYI. Technically they are the seeds of legumes (in the bean family)…

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Apple Season is well underway which makes this the best time of year to EAT APPLES of all kinds and varieties (of which there are THOUSANDS). Whatever apple varieties you pick (pun intended) they will taste their best, be their crispest, juiciest, most tart and sweet at the same time this time of year. And remember Fall/Autumn actually lasts until late December so you’ve got some time BUT mid October is indeed peak season…

No surprise apples are also great mediums through which to share very interesting and inclusive American History — whether that might be the nearly lost narratives about planting, maintaining and harvesting of apple orchards or the art and science of making of (hard and/or mulled) cider . For now, I hope you enjoy this mini vid where i share with you the wonders of eating apples in season (originally prepared for Eat An Apple Day on Sept 21st)…

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