'A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook' is an updated exploration of Kwanzaa's traditions

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Books, Arts

4.2 • 672 Ratings

🗓️ 6 January 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

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Summary

A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook was first published in 1995, a few decades after the seven-day festival was created in 1966. Written by culinary historian and author Jessica B. Harris, the book explores the holiday's history, traditions, rituals, and food–and in 2024, Harris released an updated version of her original guide. In today's episode, she joins Here & Now's Scott Tong for a conversation about the meaning of the seven symbols and principles of Kwanzaa. They also discuss the way the cookbook's recipes reflect Harris' daily cooking style, the origins of techniques like deep frying, and the centrality of improvisation to African American culture.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's Empire's Book of the Day. I'm Andrew Limbaugh. Holiday cookbooks shouldn't just sit on the shelves the other 11 months of the year. You know what I mean? There's no law that says food from a holiday in December shouldn't be cooked come January, which is to say, today we've got a cookbook for you that centers around Kwanza. Yes, the last night of Kwanza wrapped last week, but again, the food is still good.
0:25.5	The book is called a Kwanza keepsake and cookbook by Jessica B. Harris.
0:29.6	It was actually originally written in 1995, but has since been updated.
0:33.6	And at the beginning of the holiday, Harris spoke with hearing now Scott talking about how Kwanza is not Christmas.
0:39.7	It's not Hanukkah.
0:41.0	It is its own thing with its own traditions and meals, including some sweet potato fritters that I might actually try out later this week.
0:49.9	All right.
0:50.1	That interview is coming up.
0:51.7	In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life.
0:56.5	Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors.
1:01.0	On our new show, Sources and Methods.
1:03.0	NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people,
1:06.8	helping you understand why distant events matter here at home.
1:10.6	Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:16.1	Tonight, many Black Americans and others will celebrate the first night of Kwanza.
1:21.2	The seven-day festival focuses on family, on self-reflection, and yes, on food.
1:27.2	If you want to celebrate, but maybe don't know how,
1:29.7	you might want to turn to historian and cookbook author, Jessica B. Harris. Her book,
1:34.8	High on the Hog, was the inspiration for the Netflix series. In 1995, Harris published
1:40.8	a Kwanza Keepsake and Cookbook. And this year, she has released an updated version,
1:46.1	and she joins us from our home station, WBOR, to talk about it. Jessica B. Harris, welcome to here and now.
1:51.7	Well, thank you, and happy Kwanza. Happy Kwanza to you. First, give us a little history. I was surprised to
	...

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