Families, fun, festivals and food may be the motto
for the summer. One of the most anxiously awaited and popular seasonal
rituals are family reunions. These gatherings can be large or small,
near or far, but one thing that’s constant wherever they are,
is that everyone looks forward to sharing family history around
a table crowded with favorite foods.
Our traditional summer menu includes barbecue ribs, potato salad,
baked beans, deviled eggs, lemonade, fruit cobbler and tea cakes.
Most of the summer we enjoy a version of this savory menu whenever
we bring out the grill, but the tea cakes are very special for
the reunion. The hand-held over-size cookie that I enjoyed as
a child warm from my grandmother’s oven, created a food
memory that really spells family recipe for me.
In planning a family reunion, and recognizing the family food
heritage, encourage family members to share special recipes by
writing down the preparation steps. If relatives are each bringing
a dish, ask them to send their recipe in advance or bring copies
of the recipe to exchange with other family members. This will
ensure that the family will continue to enjoy those specialties
year after year.
When families get together, tales and folklore about grandparents,
and cousins, special occasions, and shared meals are a great backdrop
for some of the most entertaining conversations about folks. Make
your reunion extra special by sharing those recipes to guarantee
that the next generation is able to keep the family food flavors
burning.
Family
Reunions Celebrate Food Heritage
Granny's
Teacakes