18 Jewish Foods
Culture and History in Kosher, Bite-Sized Portions. This podcast looks at the stories of iconic Jewish dishes, shedding light on the people who eat them. Released bi-weekly, each of the twenty episodes features the backgrond on a dish or group of similar foods, and includes an interview with a relevant personality. These include scholars, chefs, food professionals, and entrepreneurs.
Episodes
December 4, 2024 • 12 mins
A review of what I covered in the previous episodes, along with a discussion of their significance, and of some of the foods I did NOT get the chance to cover.
I also look ahead to what is next for me and podcasting, now that this series has reached its conclusion.
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November 20, 2024 • 17 mins
Famously, there are no eggs and no cream in an egg cream. Rather than rehashing the how's and why's of the name or the alleged origin story of this refreshing drink, I want to focus on what's really important about it. How did it become a Jewish beverage, and why is its nostalgia value seemingly more important than its taste?
This episode's guest: Andrew Coe
(Full episode notes available at https://www.tasteofjew.com/podcasts/)
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October 30, 2024 • 17 mins
Real fermented sauerkraut (none of that immitation vinegary stuff) and charcuterie galore -- THAT is the Alsatian choucroute garnie. But what is the Jewish (à la Juive) version all about?
In this episode I explore what makes the Jewish style dish different, and how it exemplifies an entire class of Jewish foods: those in which the Jewish version is distinct from the non-Jewish type.
This episode's guest: Henry Lippmann
(Full epi...
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October 9, 2024 • 25 mins
Are bagels actually Jewish? This is one of the questions I hear most often from people discussing Jewish food. The answer, of course, is yes (or it wouldn't be on this podcast). But tune in to find out how and why.
More importantly, the changes that took place to the bagel once it reached American shores, and truly reached its iconic status, reflects the specific character of that country's Jews. What made American Jewry different...
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September 25, 2024 • 19 mins
The diversity of the Jewish people is much broader than simply the large communities of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the US. Perhaps most fascinating is uncovering small, or lesser-known Jeiwsh communities around the world. This episode is dedicated to them, and their foods.
The Bene Israel are one of the ancient Jewish communities in India, and Malida -- both the dish and the ceremony it accompanies -- signifies one of the...
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September 11, 2024 • 20 mins
Chopped Liver engenders great passion within Jewish foodies. Love it or hate it, few are indifferent.
In this episode I explore its origins, and what differentiates it from its most likely predecessor. I also turn to the entire cagegory of offal dishes -- organ meats and other "odd bits" from a slaightered animal -- that Jews have eaten around the world. Finally, I put them into the context of techniques for eating frugally in gen...
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August 28, 2024 • 20 mins
Not only do Jews drink way more than many people know, there are actually a number of alcoholic beverages that are UNIQUELY Jewish. Mahia is one. Tune in to learn all about the history of this interesting spirit, how you can get it today, and also learn about some of the other Jewish alcoholic drinks.
I also discuss one of the more subtle lessons we can learn from the Jews' relationship to alcohol throughout history, and around th...
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August 14, 2024 • 23 mins
Kugel is more a class of foods, than a food. Growing out of the medieval Ashkenazi kitchen, it went through a multi-stage development process, and now comes in many forms. It remains, however, one of the most popular Shabbat dishes.
But primarily due to its popularity, it also grew into a dish that is particularly revered by Chasidic Jews. Understanding why also helps us to perceive the growth of spirituality across the board in J...
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July 31, 2024 • 20 mins
Since this episode is being released during a period of mourning, on the Jewish calendar, I am looking at how food also reflects one of the near constant negative aspects in Jewish history: Jew-hatred. Adafina is a dish that dates back to medieval Spain, and during the Inquisition, it literally became a matter of life and death.
But other foods in our history have also helped us persevere despite the near-constant attacks we've en...
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July 17, 2024 • 18 mins
Pizza Ebraica is not what most people think of when they hear the word pizza. But the name is absolutely appropriate, as I explain in the episode. This cookie is a uniquely Jewish food, and highlights a whole class of foods that are identified as Jewish IN THEIR NAMES.
I also look at the issue of dairy and pareve within Jewish desserts.
My guest is Benedetta Guetta.
(Full Episode Notes available at https://www.tasteofjew.com/pod...
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July 3, 2024 • 21 mins
What makes American-Jewish pastrami different from other deli meats? How does it compare with its European precursors? How did the delicatessen embody the American-Jewish experience? And how similar are American-Jewish and European Ashkenazi cuisines?
Among other questions, this is what I explore in episode 10, focused on the beloved food of New York City, pastrami.
This episode's guest is Ted Merwin. (Full Episode Notes availabl...
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June 19, 2024 • 14 mins
Jews have been the masters of preserving and repurposing foods, reducing food waste. And we act as a "Light Unto the Nations" by sharing this value with the world. Learn about the title food, the concept of "Bal Tashchit," and my interviewee's organization that was designed to reduce food waste everywhere. This episode's guest is Sibel Pinto. (Full Episode Notes available at https://www.tasteofjew.com/podcasts/)
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June 5, 2024 • 18 mins
In honor of Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day - this episode looks at four different foods, all of which have the word Jerusalem as part of their names. I also explore the cuisine of Jerusalem in general, and by extension, that of Israel overall. This episode's guest is Joe Korson. (Full Episode Notes available at https://www.tasteofjew.com/podcasts/)
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May 22, 2024 • 17 mins
Jews everywhere have always reserved their best foods for the Sabbath. Gondi is a food that is unique to the Jews of Persia (Iran), and is almost exclusively eaten at Friday night Shabbat dinner. One of many examples of HOW Jews use cuisine to honor and show respect for their Day of Rest. This episode's guest is Tannaz Sassooni. (Full Episode Notes available at https://www.tasteofjew.com/podcasts/)
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May 8, 2024 • 17 mins
Many people know and love bourekas, but few know of its Jewish origin story. Learn how this food is the result of Jewish migrations, and hear of other similar foods that only came about because we have spread around the world. Culinary fusion is not a new thing, nor simply a way to experiment or titillate -- often it is a natural outgrowth of a population shift. My guest is Chanie Apfelbaum. (Full Episode Notes available at https:/...
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April 24, 2024 • 16 mins
Moufletta is eaten by Moroccan Jews at the holiday of Mimouna, that immediately follows Passover. It reflects the relatively good relations the two communities shared there. This episode looks at this crepe's Jewish bonafides, discusses other similar examples from around the world, and reveals how the tradition changed (but also stayed similar) in Israel. My guests are The Sephardic Spice Girls -- Rachel Sheff and Sharon Gomperts. ...
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April 10, 2024 • 16 mins
Charoset is eaten at the Passover Seder, but unlike many other foods, its origins are a bit less clear. It is certainly ancient, but it isn't mandated in the Torah, as is matzah. Furthermore, we know that it is a symbolic food, but what EXACTLY is it a symbol of?
By exploring charoset, as well as many other symbolic foods from different Jewish holidays, we learn a lot about the Jewish people via its approach to celebratory foods.
...
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March 27, 2024 • 20 mins
The Shabbat Stew -- chulent, hamin, dafina, and so many more -- is eaten by Jews from around the world every Saturday, and I consider it the most Jewish Food in the world. Even more than the matzah of the previous episode. Here I explore the diversity of this dish, and trace its migrations through the Jewish Diaspora. I also reveal some interesting and entertaining tidbits from the past through to contemporary times.
Interview: Ru...
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March 27, 2024 • 17 mins
Matzah (or matzo) is arguably the most Jewish Food there is, eaten annually for Passover, especially at the seder, the formal Passover meal. This episode explores the origins of matzah, what differentiates it, how it has changed over the millennia, how important it was throughout Jewish history, and what are some of the popular Jewish Foods that are made from matzah.
Interview: Jennifer Abadi
(Full Episode Notes available at http...
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March 27, 2024 • 10 mins
A short episode to describe the method, idea, and scope of this podcast series. What is a Jewish Food? Why 18? And what can you expect moving forward?
LInks:
https://www.tasteofjew.com/
https://www.marciheit.com/
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