Discover the fascinating world of ancient Mesopotamian cuisine, with recipes dating back 3,700 years. Explore the culinary heritage of the Assyrian people and their influence on modern cooking. Personal stories highlight the evolution of cherished family recipes, linking past and present traditions. The emotional journey from rural Turkey to New York unveils the significance of preserving cultural identity through food. Each dish tells a story, connecting generations and enriching our understanding of heritage.
The introduction of the cookbook 'The Oldest Kitchen in the World' bridges ancient Assyrian recipes with modern culinary practices, preserving rich cultural heritage.
The collaborative process of recording traditional recipes highlights the importance of family connections and storytelling in maintaining Assyrian cultural identity.
Deep dives
The Legacy of Assyrian Cuisine
The Assyrian people's rich culinary history dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, where the art of cooking was developed alongside early agriculture. This connection to food is deeply ingrained in their identity, as evidenced by the survival of traditional recipes passed down through generations. The introduction of a cookbook showcasing these ancient recipes allows for a connection between the past and present, highlighting the continuity of culinary practices. For example, many dishes still made today, like stuffed intestines, can be traced back to some of the earliest recorded recipes, demonstrating the enduring legacy of these culinary traditions.
The Journey of Recipe Preservation
The cookbook not only serves as a collection of recipes but also as a means of preserving the cultural heritage of the Assyrians, who have faced historical persecution and diaspora. Writing this cookbook involved collaboratively engaging with the author’s mother, who has countless recipes stored in her memory, despite not being able to read or write formally. Through this process, the author uncovered deep stories and personal connections associated with each recipe, enhancing their significance beyond mere ingredients. The labor-intensive method of preparing traditional dishes also reinforces community bonds, as such gatherings often involve shared cooking and storytelling.
Cultural Resilience through Cooking
Making traditional foods, such as homemade yogurt and Kotle, symbolizes the resilience of Assyrian culture amidst historical challenges. The hands-on process of creating these recipes serves as a conduit for emotional connection and cultural identity, allowing families to maintain ties to their heritage. For instance, the method of preparing homemade yogurt involves using fresh milk and a simple fermentation process that results in a richer, more authentic flavor. These culinary practices not only nourish the body but also enrich the soul, preserving cultural storytelling and memory as families gather to cook and share experiences.
Have you ever wondered about the oldest recipes in history? They were discovered on four clay tablets from about 1,700 BCE at the time of the Assyrian Empire. Did you know that about 5 million Assyrians still live around the world today? This year, a cookbook was published that is the first modern collection of exclusively Assyrian cuisine, food that has a lot of overlap with those ancient tablets. It’s called The Oldest Kitchen in the World, and in it, Matay de Mayee records the recipes of his mother, Smuni Turan — recipes her ancestors have been passing down orally for centuries. Today, they join Lilah in the studio to talk about their kitchen.
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The Oldest Kitchen in the World is published in English, Dutch and German — in Dutch and German its title is Haniyé. You can find it in bookshops in the US, Canada, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and online.
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