"A lovely book. This has got Christmas written
all over it." ~ John Gormley, News Talk Radio
all over it." ~ John Gormley, News Talk Radio
In Saskatchewan, food is history. After all, Saskatchewan was settled with farmers for the very purpose of growing food. But food has a sad chapter, too, as Métis and Aboriginal parents struggled to feed their families in the face of hardship, discrimination and a wave of settlement.
Did you know that bison hump was considered a delicacy? That the first wheat field was planted in 1754? That Métis families kept large gardens? That the first lentils were planted by settlers from Syria? That CPR strawberries weren't red (think purple). That "perogie" is a Polish word (not Ukrainian) and that "prairie oysters" don't come from the sea?
Settlers from America, Europe and beyond brought their favourite recipes with them to Canada and did their best to make the old recipes with the ingredients of their new homeland. Many of those family recipes are still cherished today. Food is a cultural touchstone, past and present, the flavourful bond of family, fraternity and friendship.
Out of Old Saskatchewan Kitchens tells that story with more than 50 archival photographs and many more recipes and stories from the province's history back to the fur trade. It is a loving tribute to the people, the food, the hopes and the dreams that built the Breadbasket of Canada.
Did you know that bison hump was considered a delicacy? That the first wheat field was planted in 1754? That Métis families kept large gardens? That the first lentils were planted by settlers from Syria? That CPR strawberries weren't red (think purple). That "perogie" is a Polish word (not Ukrainian) and that "prairie oysters" don't come from the sea?
Settlers from America, Europe and beyond brought their favourite recipes with them to Canada and did their best to make the old recipes with the ingredients of their new homeland. Many of those family recipes are still cherished today. Food is a cultural touchstone, past and present, the flavourful bond of family, fraternity and friendship.
Out of Old Saskatchewan Kitchens tells that story with more than 50 archival photographs and many more recipes and stories from the province's history back to the fur trade. It is a loving tribute to the people, the food, the hopes and the dreams that built the Breadbasket of Canada.
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