Most historical readers know that the America of the 1800s
was a true melting pot of cultures. Before restrictions were placed on the
number of immigrants from any particular country, people from many European
countries headed to America because of the new opportunities and open land. I
like to use that fact to depict characters who would still be holding onto the
traditions from their native country.
Food is a great way to show details about another culture
and give depth to a character. Contemporary readers are aware of all types of different
cuisines available in their hometown, some having a wider variety than others.
Even the most traditional mid-western town probably has at least one Chinese
takeout and a pizza place. I like to include in my stories a possible way in
which those restaurants might have been developed.
In Dulcina, book 5
in The Widows of Wildcat Ridge series, I focused on the Hispanic heritages of
my hero and heroine. Growing up as neighbors on adjacent ranches in New Mexico
Territory, Dulcina and Gabriel shared a common background and a love for the
same food. Big family meals are important part of their culture. When Dulcina comes
up with a plan to offer food as a way to keep her saloon open, she falls back
on what she knows--the tamales she helped make while a child.
In Dance Toward the
Light, book 3 of Entertainers of the West series, the hero, Valerik, is of
Russian descent who stays in his brother’s house while Nicolai’s on his
honeymoon. With this story, I introduced the reader to solyanka (a soup with vegetables, tinned beef, and pickled
cucumbers) and rye peasant bread.
With each story, I research recipes, and when a food scene
is included, then I make sure to use a dish typical of that ethnic group. Or I
use a dish that could have been made with the ingredients available in that
geographic location. A widow living in an apartment over her seamstress shop in
the Colorado mountains is more likely to make gingerbread or molasses cake as a
holiday treat than any recipe requiring chocolate or other expensive or
hard-to-obtain ingredients. (The Ring
That Binds)
What foods served by your family while you were growing up
or served by you to your own family can be attributed to your heritage? One
person who leaves a comment will be given the choice of an ecopy of one of
my backlist titles.
