Food Around the World: A Cultural Perspective

by McWilliams, Margaret; Heller, Holly

• ISBN13: 9780130944566
• ISBN10: 0130944564
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

For courses in cultural foods for dietetics / general education. Appreciation and understanding of cultures around the world and techniques for effective communication are the challenging goals of this text. Food is featured prominently because of its universal appeal and the meaningful ways that geography, climate, economics, and religion have combined with history and culture to define the ingredients and food patterns unique to countries and regions around the world. Dietetics students need this knowledge as they prepare to counsel clients in our increasingly inter-cultural milieu. All students require a sound fundamental knowledge of the world's nations and the uniqueness of today's rich cultural patterns as they prepare to become citizens of the world.

Table of Contents

I. INFLUENCES ON FOOD AROUND THE WORLD.

1. Food Origins and History.
2. Cultural Landscapes.
3. Religions.

II. EUROPE—ROOTS OF OUR AMERICAN CUISINE.

4. British Isles.
5. Scandinavia.
6. Central Europe.
7. Eastern Europe.
8. Italy.
9. France.

III. ENRICHED BY THE MEDITERRANEAN SPHERE.

10. The Iberian Peninsula.
11. Greece, Turkey, and the Levant.
12. North Africa.

IV. HERITAGE FROM SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.

13. West Africa.
14. East and South Africa.

V. FOOD TREASURES FROM THE ORIENT AND THE PACIFIC.

15. India and Its Neighbors.
16. Southeast Asia and Its Islands.
17. China.
18. Korea.
19. Japan.

VI. LATIN AMERICAN FLAVORS.

20. South America.
21. The Caribbean.
22. Central America and Mexico.

VII. AMERICA'S FOOD SCENE TODAY.

23. Who Is Eating What?
24. Diet Counseling in Our Cultural Milieu.
Glossary.
Recipe Index.
Index.

Excerpts

No matter where we grow up and live, eating is one of the most personal experiences of life. We all find pleasure and comfort in eating foods associated with our childhood and heritage, but personal perspectives on eating and what is good to eat are only part of the global picture. With the remarkable increase in diversity within the American population, we all need to learn more about the cultural backgrounds, geographic parameters, and social and economic factors that have shaped other nations and the people who have emigrated from them to become residents and citizens of the United States. Better relationships between individuals, within schools, and throughout communities and the nation begin with people learning about each other, what they value, and what they seek. Food preferences and eating habits provide a fascinating and very approachable avenue for promoting understanding between all of us. Each of us is a member of (or soon will become a part of) a minority in the United States, but most of us have much to learn about the foods preferred by people in different subgroups within our increasingly polycultural nation. This book will help you gain a broader knowledge of what people eat around the world; it is based on the assumption that what people eat is shaped over the centuries by geographic, historical, cultural, and economic factors. Rather than focusing only on food, the reader will develop a broader understanding and appreciation of the cultural uniqueness of the food patterns in nations around the world. Numerous photographs, maps, and recipes will help you visualize and sample the actual heritage of new immigrants and other people whose ancestors came from abroad. In recognition of the several religions discussed in this book and the influences they have imparted to food patterns, the dating system used is BCE (before the common era) and CE (common era) rather than the traditional BC and AD. Also, some of the recipes have been slightly modified to simplify the problems of finding particularly exotic ingredients without sacrificing the character of the dishes. Changes have not been made to accommodate the palate of the unadventurous diner. As you explore the world and its foods in these chapters, new images and a spirit of adventure about the world of food will develop. Knowledge of cultural food preferences is particularly important for dietitians, nutritionists, and food technologists so they will succeed in meeting the challenges of helping people from cultures other than their own achieve healthy and satisfying food patterns in this country. Regardless of your professional goals, you will perhaps find that you are willing to experience a broader range of foods by the time you finish this book. You may find that you are picturing the romantic days of the Mughals the next time you dine at an Indian restaurant, or perhaps images of the Ming Dynasty are flashing through your mind as you feast on Chinese food. The possibilities could go on and on. When you finish this book, you will be acquainted with the many cultures and their foods around the world. So, now it is time to grab your imaginary passport and journey around the world with us through the pages of this book. Bon voyage!