Tastes of Tradition
December 17, 2007
At this time of year, when we think about how things have "always" been, one of the most direct ways to access that elusive "always" is by making and serving traditional foods.
This is when I take out the notes I scribbled years ago as I watched my grandmother making her Old Country specialties, adding flour by the handful "until it feels right."
But what, exactly, was Grandma's "right?" I call my cousin Judy, who has moved across the country, to see if she recalls the technique any better than I do. She doesn't, but it's a good excuse for a check-in and a chat.
This is what makes the holidays truly delicious. We get a chance to connect with people who have meant a great deal to us. We have an excuse to tell some of the old stories again.
Kids love this aspect of the holidays – the tactile pleasures of cooking, the sense of being part of a whole. By all means, give your family the special holiday dishes. But share with them the sweetness of the memories as well.
Mealtimes Matter Video
from Miriam Weinstein
About Miriam
Miriam Weinstein is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. As a journalist, she has won several awards from the New England Press Association. Her work has appeared in Boston Magazine, the Boston Globe magazine, Hope, and ParentSource. A former staff member for North Shore Weeklies and freelancer for Essex County Newspapers, she writes restaurant reviews and food columns as well as features on a wide variety of subjects. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts, with her husband and has two grown children.
The Surprising Power of Family Meals
In her book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals, Miriam Weinstein shows how this basic human institution helps nourish and strengthen our families today. You can buy this book from our friends at Smucker's® Online Store.
