In Honor of Diversity
by Zehorit Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence
Image from the South Beach Mango Festival
“Just as we welcome a world of diversity, so we glory in an America of diversity – an America all the richer for the many different and distinctive strands of which it is woven.” Hubert H. Humphrey
The spectrum of colors in our American cultural quilt is rich and staggering. Waves of immigrants from all corners of the world have created a mosaic that continues to nourish as well as challenge our society. We encounter divisions, disagreements, and even aggression, and yet the foundation and structure of our democracy keep us bound together – moving forward.
This Fourth of July, let’s stray from our traditional menus. Let’s embrace our cultural quilt and let our table reflect it. We can have Indian samosas nestled with Argentinian empanadas, Southern barbecued ribs with German potato salad, Middle Eastern hummus, and pita along with fragrant rosemary roasted Greek lamb, Italian Caprese salad with French herbed roasted chicken.
There is no dissention around a sumptuous table… Who can argue when there’s great food to be shared? So let’s build familiarity and acceptance into our diets and palates, so it may lead to tolerance and understanding in our society!
Happy birthday to the beautiful and complex America!
Here are the above international dishes to sample: