The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

The Food of My People

by

Do you ever wonder where you came from?

I’m not talking about the big, HUGE Oh My Goodness, where did I COME FROM???

I’m talking about ancestry.

I know all my ‘peeps’ originated in the Slovakian area of Europe, many from what is now called the Czech Republic.

I know this because my parents told me (!) and because I’ve seen our heritage in my family for years. One that is steeped in the food, language, music and even some of the old ‘ways’ of those that came before me…

There were many times when I was a girl and my parents and I would go out to a restaurant and they would want to talk about someone one booth over. Most of the time they would speak their words in Czech. Even though I did not understand, I usually knew what they were saying (or close to it) just by the context and the direction they nodded and most importantly, their inflection.

I know some Czech, but not enough to carry on a conversation.

Can you say “Jak se máš”?*

I didn’t think so.

My parents brushed up on their ability to speak the language before their first trip to the Czech Republic (they’ve been twice) and now also sing with a Czech singing group and continue to try to pass on some of the traditions and language.

All this to say…

My parents can make a MEAN apple strudel.

(MEAN = oh my goodness, melt in your mouth delicious!)

You may think this is a German thing. But no, it’s a Czech thing too. Trust me.


And they have it down to a science.

Except maybe when their grandson’s are around to help…


Then perhaps a few too many golden raisins end up in the mix. But oh well.


And this time I found out about a secret ingredient as they rolled up NINE of these babies. (no, I’m not giving it away!)

SO good right out of the oven! You know you want some…

As did they.


I plan to learn to make this myself so that I can pass this on to my children as well.

I feel like much of our heritage is lost on my generation and that makes me a little sad.

And I’m sure they’d be happy for me to make it again. And again.

And, again… 😉

What do you want to pass on about your heritage to your kids?

*prounounced YAHK-ZEH-MAHSH – a casual way to say “how are you?”

elaine

Comments

  2. That looks delicious!

    It is so important to not loose our roots! As time passes, generation to generation, stories, culture and traditions slowly fade out. I hope to keep ours alive. The one thing I always love is making tamales every year, a few weeks before Christmas. I remember all the women in our family getting together, the children got to help with the little things, like adding olives to them. It has changed through the years, especially after my grandmother passed, but my mom, my aunt and I still do it. We have to because we love to. I know one day, I will be teaching my daughters how to make them so they can continue the tradition.

  3. I would love to make proper perogies, just like my grandpa did…..the patience and effort was too much for me as a teenager…now I appreciate the love he put into every hand made piece….I think your tradition is awesome!

  4. I can say Jak sie masz and reply dziekuje, dobrze. It makes me sad that I’ve also lost a lot of my Polish heritage. I can still make kolaczki but pierogi, not so much 🙁

  6. My MIL is Norwegian and makes Lefse for every holiday. Everyone in the family loves it, except for my Sis-in-law, who thinks it tastes like a sugar coated napkin. My daughter would love to learn how to make it. She had the hubs have taken lessons from “mom”, but she isn’t willing to give up the “tools” yet 🙂

  7. How fabulous to know your heritage so well! I know my family is Scottish and Norwegian, but none of the traditions have survived the trip over. We did, however, become Southerners, and follow many of the southern traditions. And no one loves a tasty looking dessert like a southerner!

  8. Obviously I’d love to pass on some of our Jewish rituals, the challah recipe, etc….and I would love your parents’ strudel recipe, but doubt I could make it if it involves making a pie-like dough/crust. But it looks so divine my mouth is watering….

  13. Why thank you, I’d love a piece! Yum-o. That’s awesome that there’s such a strong sense of heritage in your family. Oh, and I bet that secret ingredient is love, right??