In Charmaine Wilkerson’s novel 'Black Cake,' the celebratory Caribbean dessert represents family connection, identity, memory, and the way we transfer culture
, when Eleanor Bennett dies, her two adult children inherit a note, a USB drive holding an audio recording, and in the freezer, one of her classic black cakes — that rum-soaked Caribbean dessert that can take months to make and is often served at the holidays and other celebrations. “I want you to sit down and share the cake together when the time is right,” Eleanor’s note reads. “You’ll know when.
,” Wilkerson says. “Even though this is a fictional story — not autobiographical, wildly inventive — the emotions and ideas of transferring culture and stories through food, that’s a real thing.” Without a doubt, I would not have imagined this story if I hadn’t been born to a woman who made a legendary black cake. I actually call it rum pudding. My mother called it plum pudding, and depending upon where you live in the Caribbean, you might call it just Christmas cake. But black cake comes from the color obviously; it’s very dark. My aunt and other people who knew my mother, who also made this cake, always said, “Oh, your mother’s is the best.
Was there ever another food you considered to take the role black cake plays in the novel, or did it click as soon as the black cake entered the story? Because of my familiarity with Caribbean culture, I recognized that this cake also has a kind of untold story. The history of the cake speaks to the kinds of changes that had to take place socially, politically, and economically for what was essentially a British plum pudding to make its way to a tropical zone, the Caribbean, and then become a much-loved cake — what had to happen for that recipe to travel and then become transformed by a slight change in ingredients.
I think about food quite a bit, in part because of the life I’ve lived. I was a journalist. I began reporting in a major agricultural area of the state of California. I live in Italy — need I say more? It’s not just about, oh, isn’t Italian food great? It’s about the agriculture here, the seasonality of it, the fact that a number of foods are recognized by UNESCO. I also worked with a United Nations agency that focuses to a great extent on agriculture, poverty reduction, and hunger reduction.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Pumpkin Layer Cake with Mascarpone Frosting RecipeThis best-ever pumpkin cake is perfectly moist and delicately spiced. Get the recipe at Food & Wine.
Weiterlesen »
The cake that helped me reconnect with my father after 21 years'My dad and I have bonded predominantly over food. [...] Now I look at my fixation with nutmeg as my ancestors guiding me on a path to acceptance and growth.'
Weiterlesen »
My Grandma’s Famous Orange Chiffon Cake Is Also a Conversation StarterWhenever my aunties stopped by for tea, they couldn’t get enough of my grandma’s famous orange chiffon cake, which is equal parts dessert and conversation starter.
Weiterlesen »
My Grandma’s Orange Chiffon CakeWith its pillowy crumb and intoxicatingly floral aroma, my grandma’s orange chiffon cake recipe is an old-school dessert that’s perfect for teatime (or anytime).
Weiterlesen »
Seaside Edition marks 30 years of Mini ConvertibleNew Cooper S based model gets Caribbean Aqua paint and unique equipment 🏝
Weiterlesen »
My Grandma’s Orange Chiffon CakeWith its pillowy crumb and intoxicatingly floral aroma, my grandma’s orange chiffon cake recipe is an old-school dessert that’s perfect for teatime (or anytime).
Weiterlesen »