Recipes that respect tradition and taste

On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed a bill in the law, which became a Juneteenth-recognized vacation, which commemorated the Sun on June 19, 1865, when they became the latest slave in Galveston in Texas, and Union Schanners were notified.

Known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day and Jubilee Day, this is the day of remembrance and reflection, and although the celebration of the holiday varies from region to region, the only thing that combines all grills, parades, Rodeos and street fairs is the only thing that combines all the barbecues.

I spoke to the identification of food for celebrating the national holiday that would be appropriate, with Andre Springer, the founder Shaquanda's hot pepper sauce; Rasheeda Purdie chef, its founder Raman day by day; And Kysha Harris, former editor of The Space Meats, and talked about typically on Junetech, as well as their daily plans and what it means to them.

Barbecue and soul food

“We focus on many things that are traditional, on this side of the hemisphere, according to African diasporous dishes,” says Springer, but at the same time we share foods that are also very specific to our regions. ”

Southern species like smooth, creamy particles can often appear like a side seasoned, just over more than butter and salt or the Pairing classic shrimp– There are infinite variations of the food and you can even add cancer, lobster, chicken or shells.

“The food of the soul will always be a common denominator,” says Purdie. “Barbecue is important because there is a relationship with Texas and the south.”

That means anything from the juicy barbecue pork rib tender pork shoulder go. Cannot make a mistake with the southern classics such as crunchy gold fried chicken And smoky Collard is green“And of course a big pot Cajun gumbo with chicken and Andouille sausage or Kreol -style red friendlya chicken, sausage and shrimp filled can serve as the main event.

“This is the season,” says Harris. “So I think how it has developed over the years, and this is another summer cookout celebration, similar to July 4.” Creamy, crunchy potato salad It also gets fit at the table, just as macaroniOr

Red food

One of the main topics is related to Juneehh in red. “The red food traditions they eat during Junetenth are recognized for the bloodshed of slavery,” says Purdie.

You can find watermelon as part of almost any spread, either cube, sliced ​​or or even marinated. THE watermelon, feta and mint salad Sweet and salty method for incorporating the ingredient into the menu. Watermelon gazpacho Another good salty option. Since tomatoes enter the peak time again, a simple, not cooked tomato salad The perfect way to show them while keeping the subject. And if you really want to be red for the main event, choose a big dish New Orleans-style red beans and rice Vegetables, marinated pork and sausage. When dessert, butter and wet red velvet cakes Popular option but you can also choose this non -baking summer strawberryOr

The most important red element for Juniteh is probably the red drink. Come Long history This acknowledges culinary traditions and goods-hibiscus- that slave African people fight to America and can be served in many forms from kool-aid Jamaican sorrelOr

Celebrated the first official June of the nation

“I don't think many people would talk about Juniteh now if they weren't last year,” says Harris. The Black Lives Matter demonstrations in the summer of 2020, which was triggered by police brutality against black people, and the murders of George Floyd, Breona Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others undoubtedly emphasize the importance of the festival.

Harris, Springer and Purdie have begun Juniteh in recent years, and they all acknowledge that, although this is the day of celebration, this is the day of reflection.

“My family comes from the Caribbean area, so I celebrate Juneehth with my black brothers from all diasporas,” says Springer. “We talk about progress and how we can help each other and be community-based, and then really focus on our ancestors and respect them. Whether it is Caribbean or Afro-American or Afro-South American, we all share this feeling of liberation, And what is the past award and what is the past award.

Harris notes that the true meaning of Juniteh can be difficult to celebrate. “It's such a strange thing because I think I'm in such rough circumstances, and then I suddenly find out you are free,” he says. “How can you react to this? Is this celebration, this anger? The big thing for me is to think about the idea of ​​freedom. What does that mean? And I think these are the kind of topics I think and how I live for my freedom.”

In addition to reflection, Purdie also has the opportunity to continue to teach others to teach black history and culture. In the past, he participated in the Juniteh Dine, which were opportunities for celebrations and teaching and learning. In this spirit the junetech menu Roots + ramenA recruitment-style event that started to offer customers this year will be completely red, with Ramen in a chilled watermelon soup, watermelon dirt, a red velvet roll with sweet butter cream and a strawberry sage sage. Food combines the love for Ramen with black culture and hopefully educates some of its patrons a bit.

“If you need something like Junetehth to draw attention to how much we do and not know, then sharing information, history and culture will bring together more than many things that don't bring us together,” says Purdie.

As far as Harris is concerned, this is Junetenth. block to support her mother's baby book and toy store, Grandmother– Looking forward to enjoying the good food, the company, and respecting Juniteh's 19th and subsequent real meaning.

“As Americans, we are not free until we are all free,” says Harris. “Now is the time for black people to cover all the concerns, all the sham that needs to go in to talk to just a kind of blacks or just to themselves. And I think as soon as I move on in my life, I just don't want to be as much as I can.”

June 2021