I contribute my good fortune to my ancestors. They were all farmers, salt of the earth kind of people. They lived off the land, owned farms or cultivated their own gardens, raised and slaughtered their own livestock. They learned the necessary tools to survive, to put food on the table through good times as well as through wars, the depression and times of unemployment.
My parents weren’t farmers, but they grew up knowing the value of the farm, appreciating the ability to purchase local product and stocking the cold cellar for the winter. I learned this early and continue to support my local farmers, grow my own garden, can the fall harvest and I still keep a well stocked cellar to this day. I can only hope my own children will see the value, and we can return this world back to homemade instead of readymade.
To celebrate Blog Action Day and World Food Day; I wanted to celebrate the food of my ancestors, but not just through writing. It seems like a perfect fall day to cook a traditional meal of my ancestors.
I am 10th generation French-Canadian. You would think my Mother’s family having arrived in this country in 1680, I would have long ago lost my link to this heritage. However, this is something we got right in Canada. Over 300 years after the arrival of my ancestors on Canadian soil, our French-Canadian culture is still very prominent in our family. My mother still speaks French and her traditional French-Canadian dishes remain prominent in our household.
One of the most popular recipes I have posted on this blog is and continues to be French-Canadian Baked Beans. I am making them to tonight for Sunday dinner along with produce from local farmers and my beans will be seasoned with local Maple Syrup. My daughter is busy cooking an apple pie featuring local apples. I can’t think of a better way to salute my ancestors then by enjoying the harvest of my local farmer and cooking a recipe steeped in 300 years of history. Consider honouring your ancestors and your local farmers with a family recipe and local produce.
