The Mosaic of Flavors
Not long after moving from the United States to Denmark, I embarked on an art project called “How to Fall in Love with a New Country through Food in 100 Days.” Every single day for those 100 days, from April 3rd to July 11th, I made an illustration paired with a small story about something I had learned and loved about Danish food culture. As I look back on that experience, one of the key lessons I took away is the beautiful way cultures can blend and influence one another through the migration of foods.
Take the humble Danish pastry, for example. In the US, we call a pastry with jam in the center a “Danish.” But in Denmark, they call them “Vienna bread,” as they were originally made by Austrian bakers. That Austrian style of dough, in turn, came from the Turks. And so the story goes, with influences and flavors weaving together across continents and centuries.
Another example is the ubiquitous presence of cardamom in Scandinavian cuisine. This aromatic Indian spice is said to have been brought to Europe by the Moors, a Muslim people with Arab, Spanish, and Berber ancestry. Now, it’s a staple in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish foods, with Swedes using 60% more cardamom per capita than cooks in the US.
As I learned in Denmark, globalization has brought a rich tapestry of flavors and culinary traditions to our plates. The tacos that satisfied my craving for Mexican food in the States are a testament to the significant contribution that Mexican people and their food have made to US culture. And while many far-off foods have been welcomed into Danish culture, the sentiment expressed by Natasha Al-Hariri reminds us that we can still do better to embrace the people who migrate into other cultures, just as we embrace the migrant foods.
The Stories Hidden in Our Produce
As I reflect on the mosaic-like dishes that have resulted from cultures embracing one another, I can’t help but wonder: What if our foods could talk? What stories would they tell if the walls of our kitchens could speak?
Throughout history, our foods have traversed land and sea, mixing and mingling as our cultures have crossed paths. And when it comes to the world of produce, there’s perhaps no better example of this than the humble heirloom variety.
Heirloom fruits and vegetables, with their unique shapes, colors, and flavors, are living embodiments of the stories that have unfolded across generations and continents. Unlike the uniform, mass-produced crops that dominate much of our modern food system, heirlooms are the result of centuries-old growing traditions, passed down from farmer to farmer, culture to culture.
The Forgotten Gems of the Garden
As I’ve delved into the world of heirloom produce, I’ve been continuously amazed by the rich tapestry of flavors and histories that these humble fruits and vegetables hold. Take, for example, the Johnson’s Amaryllis, also known as the St. Joseph’s Lily, which chimes in during late April with its striking foliage and blooms. This resilient plant, with its strappy evergreen leaves, has likely seen its fair share of journeys and migrations, adapting to the changing environments and cultural traditions of the regions it has called home.
Or consider the no-name daylilies that can handle the shadow-to-sunlight swings in a garden strip along a patio. These hardy, unassuming flowers are the product of years of selective breeding and adaptation, passed down through generations of gardeners and caretakers.
These are just a few examples of the forgotten gems that can be found in the world of heirloom produce. From the heirloom tomatoes that burst with the flavors of summer to the ancient grains that have sustained cultures for millennia, each variety holds a story waiting to be uncovered.
Rediscovering the Richness of Heirlooms
As the modern food system has increasingly prioritized efficiency, uniformity, and long shelf life over flavor and diversity, many of these heirloom varieties have fallen by the wayside. But in recent years, there has been a growing movement to rediscover and celebrate the richness and beauty of heirloom produce.
At Thornhapple CSA, we are proud to be a part of this movement, offering our members a bountiful selection of heirloom fruits and vegetables that reflect the incredible diversity of our local food system. From the deep purple hues of our heirloom eggplants to the delicate, lace-like leaves of our heirloom kale, each item in our CSA box tells a story – a story of adaptation, resilience, and the enduring connections between people, place, and food.
Embracing the Imperfections
One of the things that truly sets heirloom produce apart is its embrace of imperfection. Unlike the uniform, blemish-free specimens found in many supermarkets, heirloom fruits and vegetables come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes, and quirks. A tomato might be lopsided, a cucumber might be crooked, and a carrot might branch off in unexpected directions.
But rather than seeing these “flaws” as something to be avoided, we celebrate them as a testament to the unique character and history of each variety. After all, it’s these very imperfections that make heirloom produce so visually striking and culinarily captivating.
Honoring the Caretakers
Behind every heirloom variety is a story of dedicated caretakers – farmers, gardeners, and seed savers who have worked tirelessly to preserve these living connections to our past. These unsung heroes have played a crucial role in ensuring that the rich tapestry of heirloom flavors and traditions continues to be passed down to future generations.
At Thornhapple CSA, we make it a point to honor these caretakers, sharing their stories and celebrating their contributions to the resilience and diversity of our local food system. Whether it’s the organic farmer who has painstakingly cultivated a rare heirloom tomato variety for decades or the backyard gardener who has meticulously saved and shared the seeds of a beloved family heirloom, we recognize that the beauty and bounty of heirloom produce is a testament to their unwavering commitment and passion.
A Celebration of Diversity
As we embrace the beauty of heirloom produce, we are also embracing the incredible diversity that exists within our food system. Each variety, with its unique flavors, textures, and histories, represents a richness that extends far beyond the confines of our supermarket aisles.
By supporting and celebrating heirloom produce, we are not just nourishing our bodies, but also our connections to the land, to our cultural heritage, and to one another. We are reminding ourselves that the true wealth of our food system lies not in uniformity, but in the incredible tapestry of flavors, stories, and traditions that have been woven together over generations.
So, the next time you bite into a juicy heirloom tomato or marvel at the vibrant colors of an heirloom carrot, take a moment to appreciate the journeys and histories that have brought these gems to your plate. For in doing so, you are not just savoring the fruits of the earth, but also the rich and enduring connections that make our food system – and our world – so wonderfully diverse.
