Both the types of food eaten, and the methods of obtaining these foods have now been discussed, however how enslaved Africans processed and cooked foods can tell a good deal about their cultural behaviours and influences. Although not much is known about processing techniques amongst enslaved Africans, there are a few studies that have highlighted how they processed corn through milling, and meat through butchery. John Solomon Otto’s (1984) study of the lives of enslaved Africans at Cannon’s Point plantation outlines how they received and processed corn rations. Essentially, the women would shell the corn cobs, after which the corn would be portioned off for each family (Otto 1984:59). Then, the corn would be ground using either a hand powered
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Most of the cooking done by enslaved Africans occurred outside in the yard, typically in communal settings (Battle-Baptiste 2007; Heath and Bennett 2000). This allowed them to engage in social activities while cooking, doing their chores, or taking care of livestock (Heath and Bennet 2000). Historical records illustrate that for enslaved Africans, eating was a social activity. Planters were constantly frustrated that their slaves took such a long time to eat when it only took them 15 to 20 minutes, showing a difference in cultures (Battle-Baptiste …show more content…
Many of their dishes were adopted by European Americans and are still eaten to this day in the American South. For example, fried chicken has become a dish synonymous to the American South and American culture and yet, the dish’s origins are African in nature. In West Africa, chicken was fried using similar seasonings to those of the South’s (Opie 2008:25). The main difference being that instead of using palm oil, enslaved Africans used lard, which was more readily available to them in the USA (Opie 2008:25). Similarly, enslaved Africans used a sauce made from lime/lemon and hot peppers on their meat that was cooked over an open pit that was the predecessor to modern barbeque sauce (Opie
Most of the cooking done by enslaved Africans occurred outside in the yard, typically in communal settings (Battle-Baptiste 2007; Heath and Bennett 2000). This allowed them to engage in social activities while cooking, doing their chores, or taking care of livestock (Heath and Bennet 2000). Historical records illustrate that for enslaved Africans, eating was a social activity. Planters were constantly frustrated that their slaves took such a long time to eat when it only took them 15 to 20 minutes, showing a difference in cultures (Battle-Baptiste …show more content…
Many of their dishes were adopted by European Americans and are still eaten to this day in the American South. For example, fried chicken has become a dish synonymous to the American South and American culture and yet, the dish’s origins are African in nature. In West Africa, chicken was fried using similar seasonings to those of the South’s (Opie 2008:25). The main difference being that instead of using palm oil, enslaved Africans used lard, which was more readily available to them in the USA (Opie 2008:25). Similarly, enslaved Africans used a sauce made from lime/lemon and hot peppers on their meat that was cooked over an open pit that was the predecessor to modern barbeque sauce (Opie