Wedding Foods Around the World

Anna Whitlock

•Section 5

What do you think of when you see this picture?

I think of wedding cake, please let me share with you a little bit about wedding foods around the world.

Traditional African Wedding Food

Coconuts, stewed vegetables, and meat are often found at traditional African weddings. Also, a bread called “injera” is often provided. This is a flatbread that is supplemented in place of utensils to scoop up the meat or veggies stews. The Liberian Coconut Bread is often served which is similar to having a cake like texture. Majority of traditional African wedding drinks include pineapples or coconuts. Examples, are like a pineapple spice drink or spicy ginger beer.

Liberian coconut bread

Injera

Spicy Ginger Beer

Chicken

in peanut tomato sauce is popular in Sub-Saharan Africa). Poulet’ Mo

ambe is chicken cooked in Moambe sauce which is made from a red ripe fruit.

Liboke’ de Viande is a banana leaf that has some kind of m

eat or poultry and it is grilled on a grill or roasted in a p

ot. Fufu is similar to porridge and y

ou can make it by boiling starchy vegetables.

Fufu

Food Means More than You Think!

At a traditional Chinese wedding there are eight courses served. Typi

cally the Chinese foods sym

bolize prosperity and extended life at weddings. Appetizers sym

bolize the dragon (feminine) and phoenix (masculin

e) symbol. Peking dish

which is a red dish is often served at this type of wedding. The Chinese usually only pick fowl to serve that mate for

life such as duck or geese. Chicken a

nd duck are served b

ecause it can symbolize a man and a woman in their new relationship. A sea cucumber that is served represen

ts harmony and lack of conflict between the marriage. Drinks served consist of tea, alcohol, and 7-Up since “up” sounds like happiness in the Chinese culture.

Chinese Tea…..You See-

According to Lovel

y Mementos:

(http://www.lovelymomentos.com/articles/2008/tradition-symbolic-food-for-chinese-wedding/)

Since tea used to be such a luxury to get it was often used a

s a engagement present for th

e future bride-to-be.

In the present Chinese culture accepting tea is the same saying “yes” to a long term engagement.

Also, another tradition that is ti

ed with the Chinese cultur

e involves a pig’s heart! The bride uses a pig’s heart along with other spices and ingredients to cook a soup. Then she gives the food to her in-laws the day of the wedding which symbolizes “all

of one heart”.

Hawaii Wedding Foods

• American, Chinese, Filipin

o, Japanese, Korean, Polynesian

a

nd Portuguese are all

incorporated into traditional Hawaii wedding foods.

• Some foods that you might find at your aloha table!

• Sweet and sour pineapple country ribs

• creamy portuguese grits wi

th sauted shrimp

• hirame sashimi with ponzu

sauce

• crabmeat stuffedhirame

• moi poke

• poached or fried moi with shoyu sauce

• vegetab

le tofu

• chicken salad

• crab cakes

• lobster and salmon

• Fresh fruit might include

pineapple, mangos, coconut

s, kiwi, oranges and star anise.

•

Traditional Mexican W

edding Foods

Might consist of beans, tortilla dishes (with chicken or beef), and spicy rice. Also, a popular drink that is served is called Sangria. This drink is made from red or white whine mixed with brandy, sugar, soda water, and fruit juice. Sangria is a cold drink.

Recognize this picture?

Some people have tried Mexican Wedding

Cookies. Howe

ver, this food is really a universal holiday treat. It might be linked to when people would save

rich and expensive foods for very special event. Th

is tasty treat was imported by Moors to S

pain. The sugary delight was introduced into the new world in the 16th century and finally popped up in American cookbooks in the 1950’s!

(http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcookies.html#

mexicanweddingcakes)

“Cor’ko” is a Russian toast that means “bitter”

• Alcohol is a must at most traditional weddi

ngs! Typicall

y what is served for toast is champagne. Also, beer is served especially on the second day if they have a 2-day wedding ceremony!

• Some foods that are s

erved include “borsch” which is beetroot s

oup with vegetables, potatoes, and meat. Another popular food is “ukha” that consist of fresh water fish, onions, potatoes. It is a soup.

• “Pelmini” is a typical R

ussian wedding food that is like ravioli except it can be ea

ten with a broth.

• An interesting fact for Russian weddings is that people are supposed to buy their utensils to eat with. Russian’s c

onsider it tacky to bring some from home. The money earne

d from purchasing the forks, spoons, and knives are given in honor to the b

ride and groom!

•

http://www.womenrussia.com/wedding2.htm (Russian Wedding Protocol)

Here is What Russian Wedding Foods Might Look Like

According to the website above, the reason Russian Wedd

ings have so many soups provided is because

it helps with hangovers really well.

Pelmini

Borsch Ukha

Traditional Scottish Wedding Foods

• Smokies (wood-smoked haddock)

• Scottish beef

• Scotch broth (Mutton broth and

vegetables)

•

Black bun (rich fruit cake)

• Colcannon (Stew that contains broiled cabbage, turnips, potatoes, & carrots)

• Scotch meat pies

“Blackening” has a whole new meaning!

A Scottish wedding tradition is for the bride to be “blackened” and covered with spoiled food such as eggs, sauces etc. After all is said and done the bride is taken and

shown around town.

Traditional Jewish Wedding Food

• The rabbi usually blesses the bread which is called “Challah” before the meal

begins. The bride and groom usually give little pieces to their guests.

• Pick a meat or diary to serve. However

, you can never serve both at a wedding. Do not serve pork or shellfish either.

• A traditional ashkenazi jewish wedding typically serves roasted chicken with potatoes and vegetables.

• Shepardic jews typically serve lamb and rice.

• Usually a cake is served that is appropriate for jewish weddings and usually some kind of fruit is served as well.

What Traditional Hindu Wedding Food Is……..

• They usually eat foods such as curry, creamy rice or bean dishes, pastas, roasted potatoes and breads.

• Post-wedding foods typically start becoming non-vegetarian.

• A hot drink that might be served might contain brewed milk with cashews, almonds, pistachios, saffron and sugar.

• Instead of a cake the bride and groom usually feed each other 5 bites of sweet food that contain honey and yogurt mixed together.

Traditional Algonquin (Native American) Wedding Food:

• Frye Bread

• Venison (deer meat)

• Squash

• Beans

• Corn

• Corn soup

• Potato soup

• Fruit such as blueberries, the “heart” berry, strawberries, and raspberries.

• Elders eat first and then the officiant. After that

the bride and groom can. Next the guest are allowed to eat.

Also, none of the food is wasted. It has to be eaten or given away to elders.

Venison Frye Bread

http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/native.cfm (Algonquin Wedding Feast)

http://www.ehow.com/how_4523472_include-african-culture-wedding.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art (African Wedding Foods)

http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/hinduweddingsf_twyd.htm (Hindu Wedding Foods)

http://www.africanchop.com/coconutbread.jpg (Liberian Coconut Bread Image)

http://www.lovelymomentos.com/articles/2008/tradition-symbolic-food-for-chinese-wedding/ (Lovely Memento’s)

http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/mexican.cfm (Mexican Wedding Food)

http://www.weddingmapper.com/photos/0/87/64924_l.jpg (Mexican Wedding Dish)

http://www.womenrussia.com/wedding2.htm (Russian Wedding Protocol)

http://www.eventective.com/blog/weddings/2008/06/11/worlds-bizarre-wedding-customs/ (Scottish Wedding “ Blackening”)

http://www.congocookbook.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=899 (Traditional African Wedding Food)

http://www.ehow.com/how_2081495_plan-traditional-jewish-wedding-meal.html (Traditional Jewish Wedding Foods)

http://www.foodtv.ca/weddings/ContentDetail.aspx?ContentId=2730 (Traditional Scottish Wedding Food)

http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcookies.html#mexicanweddingcakes (Wedding Cookies Timeline)

http://www.weddingdetails.com/lore/hawaii.cfm#food (Wedding Foods in Hawaii)

Images

• http://www.hyannisdaysinn.com/nss-folder/pictures/Wedding-Cake.jpg (Wedding Cake Image)

• http://www.bluespringmanor.com/images/wedding-buffet-tbl-lg.jpg (Wedding Buffet Image)

• http://www.weddingsinsedona.com/images/Native_american_weddings01.jpg (Image of Native American Background)

• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxntkNMKoEc0Y2iFfq07PLXuCJ5hgBOekPjBkz6VjurqD2RNjBLEKtj8f2MXgQ2acX36-eQhGrr1rk5mdT9qvBi9j_3JDdI4DLsk0PrTUs83G7qvebr0JDpWhM7CTeVUJv_BzzurUMqbA/s400/13004a.jpg ( Image of Portuguese grits with sautéed shrimp)

• http://www.atlantasushibar.com/appetizer/files/attach/images/101/650/IMG_0154.jpg (Ponzo Sauce)

• http://www.spicelines.com/IMG_4001.JPG ( Image of Star Anise)

• http://69.90.174.250/photos/display_pic_with_logo/9742/9742,1228535633,2.jpg (Image of Salmon)

• http://images.allrecipes.com/site/allrecipes/area/community/userphoto/small/84424.jpg (Image of Chicken Salad)

• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmegqhikCJkzqDGJy-o3VRyX1P5STCZe-SY1S-ecsbvIjLxZZk8wPJDxDqENJ6k83PK78gFMSR_MR3dzuvgqszq25zFIlhdNT6OmtZdzefEdYRapeEiue8JYY6O9Mih9kioY9wNiAVeY0/s400/Maui_2008+036.jpg ( Image of Crab Cakes)

• http://www.onlineembroiderydesigner.com/cgi-images/RL0003.JPG (Image Star of David)

• http://hannahgarippa.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/challah-bread-l.jpg (Image of Challah)

• http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/146265797_cd2b6bfe95.jpg ( Chinese Wedding Dish)

• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCStnXDlMg1G4PduiXlBg5hu3r2C_grnbOMt8J8nM-xD4Jjqsfcl1EvAKVRfSj1aKVS7AoyMceWIqlhT-IJVd3GY7cO2K0wBw0pHxWJo4bO9Tn9AcZoSN5-FY9vT-NAlQop7J01KTwpzHO/s400/IMG_1128.JPG (Tortilla Dish)

• http://www.faculty.fairfield.edu/faculty/hodgson/Courses/so191/Projects2007/Borello/October16/Mexican_Flag.jpg (Mexican Flag)

• http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/recipes%20images/Scotch%20Broth.jpg (Image Scottish Broth)

• http://www.schaer.com/smartedit/images/rezepte/schottischerfruechtekuchen_en.jpg (Image Black Bun)

• http://thepassionatecook.typepad.com/thepassionatecook/images/colcannon_portrait.jpg (Image Colcannon)

• http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40534000/jpg/_40534695_scotchpieabove203.jpg (Image Scotch Pie)

• http://new-surfingtips.com/Hawaii-surf-2008.jpg (Image of Hawaii)

• http://eatscotland.visitscotland.com/food-drink/scottish-food/meat/beef.html (Image Scottish Beef)

• http://www.donaldrussell.com/PUBLIC/PICTURES/PRODUCTS/LARGE/buy_fish_arbroath_smokies_from_online_butcher.jpg (Image Smokies)

• http://files.turbosquid.com/Preview/Content_on_10_27_2006_05_51_56/bagpipe_im1_persp.tga769c1cd3-bdcf-4e65-97d2-953aaace0351Large.jpg (Image of Scottish Bagpipes)

• http://www.notempire.com/images/uploads/gingerbeer-01.jpg (Image of African Ginger Beer)

• http://www.pjchmiel.com/photo/food/africanhut-fufu2.jpg (Image of Fufu)

• http://www.33ff.com/flags/XL_flags/Russia_flag.gif (Image of Russian Flag)

• http://www.russianfamily.net/images/rf_borsch.jpg (Image of Borsch)

• http://www.travellady.com/images/realrussian2.jpg (Image of Ukha)

• http://www.travellersworldwide.com/Images2000/photos-russia/food/pelmini.jpg (Image of Pelmini)

• http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/Thousandbars/?action=view&current=Jets08.jpg (Image of Russian Beer)

• http://www.eng.umu.se/vw/Culture/wedding.jpg (Image of African Wedding)

• http://www.iaej.org.il/graphics/injera.jpg (Image of Injera)

• http://www.cameronlicensing.com/Content/Images/image_0372_0000.jpg (7 Up Logo)

• http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa060499.htm (Chinese Wedding Feast)

• http://www.chinesesymbolsmeaning.com/chinese-symbols/p/prosperity.gif (Chinese Symbol for Prosperity)

• http://blog.shapingyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/8.gif ( Chinese Lucky Number)

• http://www.china-family-adventure.com/images/chinese-dragon-and-phoenix.jpg ( Chinese Symbol Dragon and Phoenix)

• http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/1182784066_ffd18575e7.jpg (Chinese Wedding Duck)