The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

801: Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking with Von Diaz and My Life in Recipes, Food, Family and Memories with Joan Nathan

Mar 28, 2025

Von Diaz shares island cuisine insights from her book, Islas, highlighting unique dishes and cooking techniques. Joan Nathan discusses her memoir, focusing on her culinary journey and family meals. Both guests emphasize the importance of capturing everyday food stories and the significance of communal dining experiences.

50:22

Episode guests

Von Diaz

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Island cuisines share cooking techniques of grilling, smoking, and marinating, fostering a sense of unity and culinary diversity.

Marinating in island cuisines transforms tough cuts into flavorful dishes with cultural significance and historical roots.

The evolution of Chamorro barbecue in Guam reflects adaptability to American influences, symbolizing creativity and culinary innovation.

Deep dives

Common Thread in Island Cuisines

The podcast episode delves into the shared cuisine traditions of various islands worldwide. Inspired by her experiences and travel to islands like Cuba, Bali, and Hawaii, the host explores how island cooking techniques are rooted in resilience, characterized by marinating, pickling, braising, and techniques suited for a lack of resources like electricity or refrigeration.

Introduction

2min

Exploring Island Cuisine Diversity

18min

Exploring the History and Flavor of Keshe Yena from Coraceau

4min

Exploring the Origin of Korasau Liqueur from Spanish Colonization in Korasau

1min

Exploring Culinary Memories and Traditions

19min

Heartwarming Anecdotes and Fond Memories of Julia Child

6min

We are looking at food stories from different cultures this week. First, documentarian and journalist Von Diaz joins us to talk about her latest book, Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking. She writes about island cuisine from all over the world and talks about her academic field research, the connections she feels when she is on an island, and the unique dishes she cooked and tasted for her book research. She found commonality among the islands in their cooking techniques, from grilling to smoking and marinating, and shares a delicious, iconic island recipe for CHamoru Barbecue Chicken with Juanita’s Fina’denne’. Then, best-selling author and Jewish food authority Joan Nathan joins us to talk about her latest book, a memoir My Life in Recipes, Food, Family and Memories. Joan chronicles her start in food, the people she met along the way, her passion for elevating the home cook and her devotion to the regular ritual of sitting down together for a meal.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

April 5, 2024 (originally aired)

March 28, 2025 (rebroadcast)

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