Tag Page Foodways

+Follow

Baltimore’s Bread Trail Blends Mexican Roots with East Coast Grit

A bakery in Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood holds more than the scent of fresh bread—it carries the story of José Vargas, whose journey from Huaquechula, Mexico, to Maryland is as layered as his pastries. José’s path began in his grandparents’ bakery back home, but it took a new shape when he started selling bread from a pushcart in Patterson Park. His venture grew from a single bakery in Greektown to a quartet of businesses, each echoing the flavors and resilience of his heritage. The film "El Camino del Pan a Baltimore" captures these moments, weaving together early morning routines, bustling kitchens, and family ties. Behind the scenes, shared meals and late-night conversations added even more flavor to the story—proof that foodways are never just about recipes, but about the hands and histories that shape them. In Baltimore, bread is more than sustenance; it’s a bridge between worlds, rising with every new day. #Foodways #MexicanHeritage #BaltimoreCulture #Culture

30Share

+Follow

Freezers, Folklore, and the Secret Social Life of Ranch Kitchens

A freezer packed with home-butchered meat might look ordinary, but on Colorado ranches, it’s a snapshot of tradition. In the 1980s, families like the Knorrs didn’t just store food—they preserved a way of life, from preparing rocky mountain oysters to sharing the bounty with neighbors when freezers were scarce. These gatherings weren’t just practical; they turned necessity into community events, where dividing meat became a reason to celebrate together. In Virginia and Ohio, the annual hog butchering—known as a boucherie—was more than hard work. It was a festive day, where friends like Betty Martin wouldn’t dream of missing out, and fresh pork was the centerpiece of a social ritual. These moments show how food traditions act as social glue, binding communities through shared labor and stories. Even beliefs about farming, like planting by the moon’s phases, reveal how deeply foodways are woven into local wisdom. In every slice and story, food traditions quietly shape the rhythm of rural life. #Foodways #RanchLife #Folklore #Culture

40Share

Load More