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High on the Hog

A Culinary Journey from Africa to America

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About this listen

Winner of the IACP Award for Culinary History.

Acclaimed cookbook author Jessica B. Harris weaves an utterly engaging history of African American cuisine, taking the listener on a harrowing journey from Africa across the Atlantic to America, and tracking the trials that the people and the food have undergone along the way. From chitlins and ham hocks to fried chicken and vegan soul, Harris celebrates the delicious and restorative foods of the African American experience and details how each came to form an important part of African American culture, history, and identity. Although the story of African cuisine in America begins with slavery, High on the Hog ultimately chronicles a thrilling history of triumph and survival. The work of a masterful storyteller and an acclaimed scholar, Jessica B. Harris's High on the Hog fills an important gap in our culinary history.

©2011 Jessica B. Harris (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Americas Cooking Food & Wine Gastronomy United States Africa Culinary Adventures

Editor reviews

American cuisine has deep African roots. When we discuss American food, the troublesome history attached to these roots is only mentioned in brief. The focus tends to be on the end product, the delicious food that helps to distinguish American culture. In this book author Harris undertakes to trace the food from Africa across the Atlantic to America. She views slavery through the lens of native food. Food is proof of the voyage; it remains with its people, sustaining them as they endure en route to freedom. Along the way the food marries multiple worlds and is reborn in many delicious guises. Harris has a resonant, dignified voice. She relays with authority her profound understanding of how this cuisine evolved and what its survival means.
All stars
Most relevant
Such an interesting story of migration and food. Loved the detail and was especially absorbed by the connections between food and the civil rights movement

Excellent history book

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This book delivers a new perspective on the highs and lows of economic, social and political equality from slavery to freedom with food as it's central theme. A facinating read brilliantly told.

Brilliant

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So beautiful to learn my history this way. From the inwards lands of the African continent to the outer parts of the world.

Awesome book!

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After watching the Netflix documentary, I was pleasantly surprised to find much more in the book revealing how Africans and their cuisine have influenced the palate of the western world, particularly in the United States.

With their arrival in the Americas, Africans brought some of the foods, cooking, and farming techniques they had known in their homeland. Where there were obstacles to them in the new environment, they adapted.

Like the documentary, I enjoyed the book and could identify several food and dishes I grew up with.
This book shows how a people's history can, in some ways, be charted by following their food.

A great book and recommended reading.

High on the Hog

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This is great balance of history and insight of African American food loved every second.

Be ready this will make you hungry

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