10 Staple Foods All Around The World
Geographical sites and answering the locational meaning of foods becoming a staple
Kentucky, USA – Fried Chicken
The famous American fast food restaurant – KFC is what made fried chicken a staple food for Kentucky on the map in the modern present, but historically it dates even further than that. As a southern culture state during the colonization period, the combination of Scottish immigrants bringing the fried chicken recipe and African slaves introducing seasonings and spices brought the relevance of fried chicken. Then in 1930, the famous recipe by Col. Harland Sanders' brought the fried chicken empire prominent in Corbin, Kentucky, and made it a staple with the state in the fast-food restaurant's name.
New York City, USA – Hot Dog
In Brooklyn, New York, there's nothing more street food than the New York Street Cart Dog. This American street food invention was originally from an immigrant from Frankfurt, Germany where they started to put steamed sausages in bread rolls and sell them in rolling carts in 1869. Then in 1905, Nathan Handwerker started his own place in New York to what we know as Nathan's Famous food hot dog chain. With massive consumers in New York, hot dogs became historically famous as a staple food in baseball games, quick-grab hand foods, and relatively cheap price for their convenience.
Mexico, Central America – Tacos
Tacos are the national staple dish of Mexico, and this dates all the way back to the 1800s of Mexico, Central America. It's a widely known street and fast food made with tortillas and numerous different kinds of fillings of spices and meats in Mexico's creation. The word “taquería” meaning taco shop is historically important because it was an element to sell tacos for income and also enjoy for the working-class Mexicans. It's been said it originated in Mexican silver mines where the first type of taco was the "taco de minero", meaning miner's taco. That context derived from how pieces of paper would wrap gunpowder like how the tortillas would wrap the fillings. That said, the kick or spices to tacos would be accurate to the origin as resemblance to dynamite-packed flavor. Only then the taco came to the US in the early 1900s from early LA immigrants and spread across the country.
Peru, South America – Ceviche
Ceviche is the national staple dish of Peru which is raw fish with salted onions, peppers, and lime juice. Due to its location, Peruvians are used to their fresh ingredients of fish, and the dish is simple yet complex. The technique of the dish was brought over from Spain as now Peru claims that their ceviche is their nationally best dish. Its exotic flavors give it the depth as it's influenced by the Caribbean, Latin America, Central America, and South America cooking styles, and in Peru their version is known to the world.
Morocco, Africa – Tajine
Tajine is Moroccan stew cooked in a ceramic casserole vessel, and the pot lids make it ideal for slow cooking over stoves. Essentially, the tajine was developed as portable ovens which had both practical and durable use for the people of Morocco. As a roadside stall food, these designed pots would be slow cooking all day long, and it was practically a publicly used tool in North Africa. In descendant history, its origin came from the Berbers which were North Africa's first inhabitants, and their stew tajine were called "chalhaoui" which was made out of a rounded lid than a pointed one. With common ingredients in Morocco, it was made with baby artichokes, spring peas, and nuts native to Northern Africa which made this staple food contain the varietal depth of earthy flavors.
England, Europe – Fish and Chips
Fish and Chips are the most British staple food to exist. The origins of this dish go back to the 1700s where potatoes would be fried and be used as a substitute for fish during the winter months, then the inclusion of fried fish would be introduced by Jewish refugees coming into the country. This was known as the stock meal for the working class of England with the resourceful catch of fish from the North Sea. Britains refer to fried potatoes as chips, and with fresh fish, came up with the globally known name. It's so iconic and long-known that it was the industrial food that has served the UK enjoyment and recreations all over the world a great substitute to fast from meat.
Germany, Eurasia – Wurst
The German Wurst is what we know as (Sausage), and it's not only their staple food but a key component of Germany's national heritage. The oldest written mention of wurst goes all the way back in history to 1432, and it goes to show how long Germany has made it a tradition of curing meat in different varieties for ages. In a long tradition, making wurst was a way to minimize waste after butchering animals and it was infused with herbs and spices. In different processes, the meat product was a way to be saved and eaten everywhere for Germany's temperate climate, with extremely high temperatures during the summer and heavy snowfall during the winter. As widely known it was a staple food, it was especially seasonally popular on Christmas as well.
Russia, Asia – Olivier Salad
The original recipe was invented in 1860 by Lucien Olivier which was safeguarded until the day he died. The ingredients are diced potatoes, vegetables, eggs, ham or chicken and it was a staple appetizer to Russia and other countries that were from the former USSR. In other names, Russian salad included mayonnaise and it was a massive success where we see similarities all over the world for its mixture. Similar comparisons are potato salad, egg salad, with poultry and numerous other variations adopted by countries, but this simple recipe of the Olivier salad gave impoverish Russian immigrants a comfort sustenance food in which they carry anywhere world wide.
Australia – Meat Pie
Meat pies go way back to being a European invention. Their roots go back to ancient Greece and Rome, and very early on when the meat pie reached Australia, it was widely popular in Sydney and reproduced from then early on to now. This type of food was conveniently prepared for settlers with good nutritional values and available ingredients already in Australia. Now through its popularity in modern times, the Great Aussie Pie Competition is held annually to discover the best pies in Australia.
Hawaii – Poke
Poke is Hawaii's iconic and staple food made from fresh raw fish and chopped vegetables on a bowl of condiments and rice. The typical ingredients needed to make this describe the resources to Hawaii and the mixture of cultures needed to make Poke, which is the local fresh fish, seaweed, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and Hawaiian sea salt. By its local simplicity, poke has been in long history of ancient Hawaiian times of catching fish, massaging it with sea salt, and serving it with seaweed and rice as staple known native Polynesian food.
Week 11: Asia I - Assignment: Story Map
By Vince Balagao
GGS-101-DL5