The Food of My People

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?”