Video – CYNTHIA D. BERTELSEN

Baking Bread, Breaking Bread: A Short Film by Zev Robinson, Filmmaker

June 6, 2020

I’d like to introduce you to Zev Robinson, a Canadian-British filmmaker living in Scotland. Zev focuses on the “art and politics of eating”, with a strong emphasis on the intersection of social justice and food. The following is his description of the film: “As screenings of Zev Robinson’s 28 minute documentary ‘Real Bread Bakers’ have … More Baking Bread, Breaking Bread: A Short Film by Zev Robinson, Filmmaker

What’s A Turnip Got to Do with Halloween? Or Rutabagas, Beets, and Gourds, for That Matter?

October 31, 2013

Folklore or fakelore, the general consensus seems to be that the Irish who came to America brought their custom of carving turnips for All Hallows Eve. They must grow large turnips in the sod over there! Lacking a turnip, rutabagas, beets, or gourds would also do. Delicious legend, that’s what started the practice of carving … More What’s A Turnip Got to Do with Halloween? Or Rutabagas, Beets, and Gourds, for That Matter?

The Historic Gastronomist

November 14, 2009

Like old cookbooks? Like old recipes? Then don’t miss this down-to-earth video, shot by Liza de Guia, entitled “The Historic Gastronomist,” about a 27-year-old Brooklyn woman named Sarah Loman who is resuscitating centuries old recipes from American history. Loman writes a food history blog called “Four Pounds Flour.” Meet Sarah Lohman. She’s not a professional … More The Historic Gastronomist

Wrestling with Risotto

August 15, 2009

Learn to Make Risotto with Biba Caggiano:

Gardening at the White House

April 4, 2009

A history of American gardens, a part of the “Eat the View” effort to turn the 18 acres of the White House backyard into a garden. Sounds like the Obama garden is not the first garden to be planted there.

Eggplant: Passage from India

April 3, 2009

Considering that people over the centuries have blamed eggplant for “causing insanity, acting as an aphrodisiac, and serving as a dental cosmetic,”* it’s no wonder eggplant tended not to “take” in certain cultures. United States, yes. India, no. Some experts say India gave birth to eggplant, called brinjal or baingun, originally called vartaka or vrntaka. … More Eggplant: Passage from India

West African Origins of Southern Cooking

March 28, 2009

Nearly all writers on Southern food agree that African slaves influenced the evolution of Southern food. Here’s a video of Burkina Faso, where I lived for two years, and a lunch served in a village.