What do kwanzaa people eat

A Feast of Faith, called a Karamu Ya Imani , is held on December 31, and originally families spent the night enjoying traditional African cuisine. Over the decades, celebrants have increasingly introduced food of the African diaspora to their feasts, such as Southern soul food and Caribbean dishes. The menu for the feast can vary depending on the family and their traditions, but no matter what, the table will likely include a few symbolic foods: the mazoa fruits and vegetables symbolizing the bounty of the harvest and the muhindi ears of corn symbolizing fertility and representing each child in the family.

The main dish served at Karamu tends to be a one-pot stew , which can come from one of many traditions. Examples include everything from Ghanaian groundnut stew and Red red African stewed black-eyed peas to Cajun jambalaya and Creole gumbo. Fish Patties Cooks add fillers to limited supplies of proteins and make patties or balls. We used to mix powdered milk with skim milk when I was a kid. Same; same. Use a left over turkey neck to make gravy and don't skimp on the Tabasco once they are served.

Mustard Greens Be sure you wash your greens well and remove the stem before cooking. Fry up a slice of bacon or two in the bottom of your sauce pan.

Remove the bacon. Leave the drippings, add two tablespoons of flour and saute a large, thinly sliced onion. Add the greens and cook until tender. I can't promise that they'll be as good as Yo Mama's Soul Food , but they'll be in the neighborhood.

Dot with butter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutess. Sprinkle marshmallows over yams and apples. Broil till lightly brown. Add other ingredients. And by cooking. Throughout the week, favorite African-American dishes, as well as traditional African, Caribbean, and South American recipes, are on many menus. On December 31, the holiday culminates in a feast called Karamu , and Kwanzaa tables overflow with the best of everything.

In the spirit of the holiday, we've put together this bountiful buffet to help you bring a delicious Kwanzaa into your home. Check out our chef-selected Kwanzaa menus to help pick a complete meal that tastes great and will satisfy your hungry guests. Try our fresh Kwanzaa menu that pairs food from Africa and the New World, our tasty Kwanzaa meal that emphasizes fruits and vegetables, or our Southern menu, which spices up dinner with Cajun flavors, cheese grits, and bright, fresh coleslaw.

Most Recent Jerk Chicken on black serving tray.