Culinary History

Thanks to 17th-century Dutch settlers, Americans enjoy all kinds of cookies for all kinds of celebrations, including Christmas. But cookies are older than recorded history--humans were munching on them 10,000 years ago.

Dec 1, 2000 - Carey Draeger

Muslims around the world are currently in the second week of a month-long period of fasting and feasting as they celebrate one of the holiest seasons of Islam known as Ramadan.

Nov 30, 2000 - Carey Draeger

As one of the world's most popular foods (they're even grown in Japan), tomatoes are an ancient food with a proud history.

Oct 26, 2000 - Carey Draeger

Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, a college professor and African-American leader, started Kwanzaa in 1966 after he realized that most traditional American holidays did not focus on the development or the essence of black Americans.

Dec 8, 1999 - Carey Draeger

For over 2,000 years Jews around the world have celebrated an 8-day holiday with lights, dreidels, latkes and sufganiyot. Here's a little food history behind this meaningful and delightful festival of lights.

Dec 2, 1999 - Carey Draeger

The Meleagris gallopavo, or turkey, is just as popular today as it was over 300 years ago, when it was part of the first thanksgiving feast in 1621.

Nov 17, 1999 - Carey Draeger

To cope with rationing, many Americans cultivated victory gardens, substituted margerine for butter and used the thrifty habits and skills many developed during the Depression years of the 1930s.

Oct 22, 1999 - Carey Draeger

During World War II Americans had to cope with food and other commodity shortages and long lines created by rationing.

Sep 29, 1999 - Carey Draeger

First sold in 1937, this brick of spiced ham and pork shoulder is still consumed by people around the world to the tune of 141 million cans a year.

Sep 23, 1999 - Carey Draeger

I just returned from a trip back in time to the site of the bloodiest day in American history.

Aug 23, 1999 - Carey Draeger

More about the vegetable fruit Americans consume by the pound.

Aug 13, 1999 - Carey Draeger

Did you ever think a war would be fought over a sweetening agent? Believe it or not, molasses helped to create the sticky situation that eventually led to the American Revolution. Molasses also figured prominently in an early 20th century disaster.

Jul 25, 1999 - Carey Draeger

A pasty is a whole meal wrapped up in a pastry envelope. Brought to the U.S. by Cornish miners who worked in the iron and copper mines of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the pasty was often heated on a shovel held over the candle miners wore in their hats. Michiganians today still enjoy this tasty dish. It's become the unofficial state dish!

Jul 8, 1999 - Carey Draeger

The blueberry is a native American species that has been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years. Its role in American history is stellar--both Native Americans and early settlers relied on its nutritional values to survive. Today, this true-blue berry is the second most popular berry in the United States.

Jul 1, 1999 - Carey Draeger

Whether it appears in a hearty soup or is worn in a hat, the lowly leek is a lovely vegetable to use in soups, no matter what the season.

May 27, 1999 - Carey Draeger