Cookbooks are so much more than just recipes. They are literature. They are stories. They connect us to each other and share the very deep and profound ways that food and food centered celebrations shape our lives.
In her cookbook about Juneteenth and Black celebrations, Nicole A. Taylor shares the history of Juneteenth and some of the symbolic (and delicious) foods that play a part in celebrations around the country. Her intention is that the book be “light with the pleasures of good food and heavy with the weight of history.” This book truly has both and I look forward to cooking from it for years to come.
Juneteenth is a celebration that reminds us of the long journey, one that has yet to be completed, of Black Americans towards a just and fair America. Check out this article on celebrating Juneteenth as an ally, Then get yourself a copy of Watermelons and Red Birds from one of these Black-owned independent bookstores and learn about the symbolism behind the title.
Rodeo Turkey Legs (p. 104),
Summer Bean, Green Bean and Corn Salad with Buttermilk Dressing (p. 157)
Southern-ish Potato Salad (p. 148), and
Blueberry and Bay Leaf Tonic (p. 70),
As we prepared and shared our meal, we weren’t just consuming food and recipes, but a connection to past stories and creating a chance for new stories to come.
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