One of the best meals of my life was on a dirt floor in Swaziland (also known as Eswatini ) .
Upon our arrival in the village, a cow was butchered and later ready to be eaten in a community celebration. The entire week leading up to the festivities was spent preparing. As a single person, I was not accustomed to cooking meals for 100+ people! The local grandmothers (or “GoGo’s” as they were affectionately called) had pots as big as my kitchen table simmering all day long. They taste-tested, added various spices, and simmered some more. My lack of culinary skills must have been obvious as I was designated the vegetable chopper and peeler.
In limited Swazi I asked what we were making, what each ingredient was, and what the plan was and in my limited understanding of Swazi I was told repeatedly – the heart is the chef. There are no recipes to follow, no measurements to guide, and the name of the dish I unfortunately no longer recall. Despite being a part of the creation process, there were several ingredients my western palate did not recognize.
Yet, sitting around that table and joining the entire village in this elaborate feast was one of the best moments of my life. After struggling to understand and communicate in Swazi or follow cultural customs – we didn’t need language to share with one another how phenomenally delicious our meal was. Friends to this day, that meal was the cement to relationships that exceeded the language barrier. Now, every time I prepare sweet potatoes I do so in the way that my dear GoGo’s taught me and during a cold Denver morning I savor a cup of Red Rooibos Tea and am reminded my friends in Swaziland, our shared meals and time together.
Join Denver Sister Cities International as we create a cookbook featuring the cuisine of our Sister and Friendship Cities. We recognize the strong value of food as a bridge between cultures and languages. We also recognize the power of food to bring back memories of shared experiences and travel abroad and we want to share with the rest of Denver how fantastic our Sister Cities are.
If you have recipes from your time in our Sister Cities – please share them! This is the time to dig up old photos and travel journals to share your memories of our Sister Cities.
Please send any recipes, stories, or pictures (or questions!) to dscicookbook@denversistercities.org
This is what we need for each recipe.
1. Instructions for submitting recipes
· Ingredients (and English translation or substitute)
· Measurements (in original measurements and US measurements)
· Special tools needed
· Cooking time
· Temperature (in original measurements and US measurements)
· Instructions for assembling the recipe
· The category of the recipe – Appetizers, Soup and Salad, Entrée, Dessert, Drinks
· Please give the name of the person or restaurant who came up with the recipe or how you came across it
2. Short story to go with the recipe
· Why did you choose it? Why will others love it? How did you come across this recipe? When did you eat this food for the first time? When do people enjoy this dish? (i.e. associated holiday or cultural connection)
3. Photos to accompany each recipe
· Or a photo of the city it represents? Or people it connects with? Or the place or people who were involved the first time you had this recipe?
We can’t wait to cook and enjoy these delicious recipes with you!
Please send any recipes, stories, or pictures (or questions!) to dscicookbook@denversistercities.org