Nana and me, circa 1982
When people ask if I’m a foodie, I always say no.
And then I try to explain.
I’ve been in love with food since I was a little girl. My grandmother, Nana, was born in Mississippi in 1912, and her family lived off the land. She had nine siblings and was responsible for cooking for the entire family. This love for food and cooking was passed on to my mom when they moved to California in 1959.
Nana had a huge garden in the backyard of her Sacramento house. She grew collard greens, kale, cabbage, garlic, onions, bell peppers, hot peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and broccoli. There was also plenty of fruit: nectarines, plums, figs, crab apples and grapes.
The “Local, Organic, Sustainable” thing is not new.
My family’s been doing it for generations.
It was what they grew and how they lived.
Preserving food was also an important skill. She turned fruit into jam, jelly, and preserves. Vegetables were pickled and tomatoes were turned into sauce, so they could be saved for the winter. Crab apples became fresh pressed juice and applesauce. Garlic ended up flavoring salt and olive oil or it was dried, and then powdered. I heard that my grandfather, who passed away before I was born, made wine out of any extra fruit that wasn’t already preserved.
Without recipes, Nana turned fresh produce and preserves into complete home cooked meals. It was intuition and love that enabled her to create, and recreate dishes like Fried Chicken, Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Green Beans and her World Famous Apple Pie. I loved her apple pie so much that she would make one for me and another for the rest of the family.
My parents also encouraged my love and curiosity for food when I was a kid. My dad gave me an Easy Bake Oven for Christmas one year and ate every “cake” I made. And while my friends were having hot dogs and boxed mac & cheese for dinner, my mom made quick, healthy meals (like Mom’s Chicken) at home and took us out to Chinese and Filipino restaurants to try new dishes.
Food is how my family shows affection.
Food is at the center of all of our celebrations.
Food is familiar and comforting.
Food is new and exciting.
Food is life.
It’s fascinating how food is so popular right now. People watch reality shows on prime time and don’t think twice about standing in line for the newest gimmick. No offense, but “foodie” sounds like a trendy term for the folks that just joined the bandwagon.
I’ve always been in love with food and I always will be – this is why I don’t call myself a “foodie.”
I am a food lover.
Christina Mitchell
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I remember us talking about this at our Haven dinner. I am so glad you wrote this piece. It was very revealing and sheds a lot of light – and explains a lot about how you carry yourself when it comes to the food world. Your Nana’s garden sounds incredible and the preserves and processes she does with these fruits and veggies sound delicious. What an amazing woman!
I think this is why we click – food is also how my family shows affection and love, and bonds us together when we have nothing else in common.
Thanks Brenda! I’m so glad we connected 🙂