Dr. Jessica B. Harris, an esteemed author of 16 books on African American food, discusses her groundbreaking work that connects West African culinary traditions to American cuisine. She shares her inspiring journey and highlights dishes like chicken yassa that celebrate cultural ties. Through her experiences and insights, Harris emphasizes the importance of community in shaping identity and advocates for the new generation of Black scholars to explore the future of culinary heritage.
32:45
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
First Taste of Chicken Yassa
Jessica B. Harris's first trip to West Africa in 1972 led her to fall in love with the markets of Senegal.
She vividly recalls tasting chicken yassa, a marinated grilled chicken that still makes her stomach growl decades later.
insights INSIGHT
Sophistication of West African Food
Chicken yassa's combination of familiar ingredients with new flavors showed Harris the sophistication of West African cuisine.
She realized traditional Senegalese food is deeply complex and not merely French-influenced.
question_answer ANECDOTE
James Baldwin's Popcorn Joy
Jessica B. Harris was part of a circle of Black intellectuals including James Baldwin and Maya Angelou in 1970s New York.
She recounts Baldwin making popcorn while reading a draft of Toni Morrison's work, blending seriousness with joy.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine
Jessica B. Harris
In 'Braided Heritage', Jessica B. Harris delves into the diverse culinary influences that have shaped American cuisine. The book uncovers the historical roots and cultural exchanges that have contributed to the nation's rich food heritage. Through meticulous research and personal narratives, Harris highlights the contributions of various ethnic groups, particularly those of African descent. Each recipe is accompanied by a story, offering insights into the traditions and experiences that have shaped American gastronomy. The book celebrates the complexity and diversity of American foodways, providing a fresh perspective on the origins of beloved dishes.
What Mrs. Fisher Knows about Southern Cooking
What Mrs. Fisher Knows about Southern Cooking
Abby Fisher
Hot Stuff, a cookbook in praise of the piquant
Hot Stuff, a cookbook in praise of the piquant
a cookbook in praise of the piquant
Jessica B. Harris
If Beale Street Could Talk
James Baldwin
The novel tells the story of Tish, a 19-year-old Black woman, and her lover Fonny, a young sculptor who is falsely accused of rape. The narrative explores the struggles of their families as they work to clear Fonny's name, highlighting the pervasive racism and injustice faced by Black Americans in the 1970s. Through Tish's perspective, the book delves into themes of love, family, community, and the systemic injustices that shape their lives. Baldwin's writing vividly portrays the emotional and social complexities of the characters, making the story both poignant and powerful[2][3][5].
High on the hog
A Culinary Journey from Africa to America
Jessica B. Harris
In *High on the Hog*, Jessica B. Harris chronicles the history of African American cuisine, from its origins in Africa to its evolution in the United States. The book details the culinary traditions brought by enslaved Africans, their blending with Native American and European cuisines, and the significant impact these traditions have had on American food culture. Harris explores various periods, including slavery, the Great Migration, and the Jim Crow era, highlighting how food played a pivotal role in the lives of African Americans and their contributions to American gastronomy.
Over more than fifty years and 16 books, Dr. Jessica B. Harris has uncovered the ways that West African food, and African American people, have fundamentally shaped American cuisine. Her seminal 2011 book, High on the Hog, brought the connection between African and American food into the culinary conversation, and led to the 2021 Netflix series of the same name. This week we talk with her about her own journey in making these connections, and she offers advice to the new generation of Black scholars and writers exploring these links: “Look ahead. What do you see ahead?” Her latest book is Braided Heritage: Recipes and Stories on the Origin of American Cuisine.
This episode originally aired on August 2, 2021 and was produced by Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, and Andres O’Hara. It was edited by Tracey Samuelson. The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O’Hara, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. Publishing by Shantel Holder.
Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.
The Sporkful 
