The Food Origins for Turkey on Thanksgiving
Many foods considered part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal were not necessarily served during the first Thanksgiving (or at least not in the form that they are eaten today). For one thing, wild fowl was certainly more common than the domestic turkey that dominates the table today. Corn was served as corn meal or porridge, cranberries were not made into a sauce since sugar supplies were limited, and potatoes had not yet been introduced to North America! Interestingly the food origins we associated with many popular foods either do not originate there or are served in a completely different form in that country. Below are some examples of commonly mistaken food origins.
The Food Origins for Ketchup
The word ketchup comes from a Chinese word meaning “fish sauce.” The food origin is from a dialect in the Fujian province, the same coastal region from which the word tea is derived.
With the influx of Fujianese immigrants to the United States, Fujianese dishes are now common in Chinatown restaurants along the East Coast. Typically, these dishes are eaten with a homemade red rice wine that is a specialty of the province. This red rice wine is among the primary food orginas of ketchup. However, while the rice wine has remained the same, ketchup has undergone a major transformation.
The Food Origins for Spaghetti & Meatballs
When asked about typical Italian foods, many people in the U.S. first think of spaghetti and meatballs. While the dish was invented by Italians, the food origins for these dishes is actually American. The Italians who invented them were actually immigrants that were living in North America (mainly from southern Italy). Using ingredients that they found in their newly adopted country, they came up with a new dish, which soon became a favorite among many Americans.
Since meat was not as abundant in Italy, greater availability brought about bigger portions. This led to the usual large meatballs which accompany spaghetti. It should be noted, however, that when pasta and meatballs are served in Italy, they are never served as part of the same dish. Although there is an Italian version of meatballs, they differ significantly from their American counterpart in that they are usually eaten alone or in soups and are much smaller in size.
Nachos are Mexican
While nachos were originally invented by a Mexican, their food origins are very American in a way. They were made from ingredients found lying around the kitchen – tortilla chips, cheese, and jalapeno peppers – in order to satisfy the palate of visitors from the United States.
The man who invented them, Ignacio Anaya, from which the name nacho originates (Nacho is short for Ignacio), worked in a restaurant in Mexico near the Texas border. In the absence of the restaurant’s chef, he was forced to create a dish on the spot. Later, Frank Liberto adopted this dish and converted it into something that could be easily prepared and sold in athletic stadiums – using processed cheese rather than real cheese – and soon nachos became a popular concession food. Mexican restaurants later adopted this form of the dish which became known as a typical Mexican food in the United States.
Croissants are French
Many people are under the impression that the food origins of croissants are in France. As a result, people tend to pronounce the word using a French accent. However, the croissant is actually believed to have originated from something called the kipferl. Although there are many conflicting stories about how the croissant came to be, most believe that it was first created during the Ottoman siege on Vienna, Austria. According to legend, upon the defeat of the Turks, an Austrian baker made a pastry in the shape of the Muslim crescent, called a kripfel, symbolizing the triumph of the Austrians over the Turks. An artillery officer from Austria later decided to open up shop in neighboring France, and vioala, the croissant was born.
Egg rolls are Chinese
The food origins of the egg rolls we eat in many parts of the western world aren’t typically Chinese. In fact, the egg rolls that westerners are familiar with were actually created by Chinese immigrants living in the United States. Using what they had on hand, they wanted to make something that would appeal to the American taste buds while at the same time, similar to what they knew. Thus, the Americanized version of thick hard-shelled egg rolls are nothing like the actual spring rolls that you typically find in Hong Kong, or China for that matter. True spring rolls are much more delicate and light, while western egg rolls are more like stuffed deep fried dough. The fried egg rolls served in Chinese restaurants in the United States are really a fusion of the two cuisines: American and Chinese.
Chimichangas are Mexican
Traditional Mexican cuisine dates back to the Mayans, whose basic diet consisted of corn, beans and vegetables. However, most Americans confuse certain foods such as chimichangas, often made with processed cheese and sour cream, with authentic Mexican food. Although many non-Mexicans consider chimichangas a typical Mexican specialty, it is closer to “Tex-Mex” cuisine rather than traditional Mexican food. Ironically this deep fried burrito does not originate from Mexico or Texas. It is more likely that the chimichanga was invented in the state of Arizona, where it is being considered as a representative state food. Apparently this popular fried burrito spread from Arizona to Texas, and then around the United States where it came to be served in Mexican restaurants. Another reason why many such dishes are not considered authentic is that traditional Mexican dishes are made with queso fresco, a white flavorful cheese made from goat’s milk and cow’s milk. Americanized Mexican cuisine uses processed cheese.
*Note: Please feel free to add to this list as there are many more examples, and to those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, enjoy your feast!
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