Celebrating Juneteenth With Food

June holds profound significance in our history as we commemorate Juneteenth, marking the emancipation of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas. I have tremendous gratitude for Ms. Opal Lee, known as the Godmother of Juneteenth, who played a pivotal role in establishing this important holiday, walking from Texas to D.C. when she was 89 years old to advocate for its national recognition.

I also have tremendous respect for all the Black cooks who have helped shape the culinary landscape of this country –?often without recognition or reward. I think enjoying a delicious meal on Juneteenth is an excellent way to honor their quest for freedom.

In my latest cookbook, The Rise, I have a whole section on migration and how it’s shaped food. Thinking back to the forced migration of millions of African people to the country that became the United States, each dish tells a story of culinary heritage and innovation – and also serves as history lessons. Like how enslaved people used the iron field hoe to cook Hoecakes. Cooking corn this way calls back to the practices of baking cornbread in banana leaves in Angola and many other countries.??

Then came the Great Migration that took Black African American people to metropolitan hubs throughout our country. One of my favorite recipes from The Red Rooster Cookbook is for Shoebox Ham. It was difficult enough for Southern Blacks just to get on trains during the Great Migration; but Jim Crow laws made getting something to eat impossible. Their solution was to pack lunches in shoeboxes so they could eat in their seats. I like to think that my Shoebox Ham would be perfect for those journeys.?

This Juneteenth, I look forward to celebrating with good food as a way of embracing the spirit of freedom, unity, and togetherness. Join us in celebrating this significant holiday with your community.

#Juneteenth #BlackHistory #Celebration #Community #Freedom