February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of the contributions of African American people in the United States. Food is central to all cultures, and the African diaspora is no exception. If you are unfamiliar with the term, the African diaspora describes how people were dispersed across North, South, and Central America centuries ago. That means that the food we celebrate this month ranges from American cooking to Caribbean cuisine to South American Afro-Hispanic food and everything in between.
In Massachusetts, 12.4% of people identify as Black alone. Another 10% of people identify as two or more races, which may include identifying as Black. Knowing this, and the fact that the African diaspora extends up and down the Americas, there are many cultures to celebrate this Black History Month. Sharing food is a key component of African heritage, and cooking traditionally significant foods can connect you even more to this rich culture. There are many amazing recipes here on the MA SNAP-Ed website that are inspired by African, Caribbean, and African American culture. Try some of the suggested ones below or do your own search on the Recipes page.
Recipes to Try
Here are a few favorite recipes that you can try to add some variety to your home cooking this month. All are inspired by African or African American cooking. If you are looking for more ideas, you can sort recipes by cultural inspiration. Simply select the culturally inspired category you would like to see using the dropdown option on the far right of the Recipes page. Please also note that the culturally inspired recipes on the MA SNAP-Ed website are simply inspired. Your personal experience, upbringing, and cultural heritage may call for changes in these recipes. If that is the case, feel free to modify recipes so they stay true to you and your culture!
Shakshuka originated in North Africa and is still popular in that region as well as the Middle East. The lovely combination of tomatoes, peppers, and poached eggs make this equally nutritious and delicious. While eggs usually signal Americans to eat this at breakfast, feel free to serve shakshuka at any time of day.
Homemade, gooey Classic Macaroni and Cheese has roots in African American culture, particularly in the south. It is more effort to make it from scratch than from a box, but the results are well worth it. Serve it alongside some salad or other greens to balance out the rich cheesiness.
Collard Green Gumbo with Ham Hock is another Southern-inspired dish that can appeal to many audiences. It is loaded with vitamins and minerals thanks to the collard greens, and when paired with brown rice, can be filling and satisfying for anyone.
So Much to Celebrate
Black History Month has been celebrated for almost 50 years, and for great reasons. The cultural contributions from Black-identifying people over the centuries have influenced American culture in many ways. These recipes, and so many others, are just a small reflection of how African-influenced culture has shaped the food culture of the United States. We at MA SNAP-Ed appreciate knowing the history behind the delicious dishes on our website. We hope you can try a recipe or two to celebrate Black History Month with us.
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