Are you heading to a Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) potluck and want to contribute a dish that’s both delicious and historically inspired? Bringing period-appropriate food can significantly enhance the authenticity and enjoyment of SCA events. It’s not about culinary perfection right away; it’s about making an effort to connect with the past through food. Let’s explore how you can easily bring tasty and period-plausible dishes to your next SCA gathering.
Embracing Historical Cooking for Potlucks
Approaching historical cooking for SCA potlucks can be exciting and rewarding. Here’s how to get into the right mindset:
- Period Food is Delicious! Don’t fall into the trap of thinking historical food is bland or unappetizing. People in the past enjoyed flavorful and satisfying meals. Exploring historical recipes opens up a world of tastes beyond our modern palate. Think of it as culinary adventure – you might discover your new favorite dish!
- Start with Your Strengths. Feel comfortable sticking to what you know, especially when you’re beginning. Are you a baker at heart? Explore 16th-century cookie recipes. If deciphering old texts isn’t your thing, no problem! Many resources offer translated and modernized recipes perfect for beginners. You can find cookbooks and online resources that simplify the process.
- Food is More Than Just Sustenance. Throughout history and across cultures, food holds a significant place. Celebrations, rituals, and social gatherings often revolve around meals. SCA feasts are no different. Food is a way to experience history, culture, and community. It’s an art, a science, a passion, and a source of joy. By participating in historical food preparation, you deepen your SCA experience.
Getting Started with Period Potluck Dishes
Ready to take the plunge? Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
- Steer Clear of New World and Modern Foods. Small changes make a big difference. Instead of chocolate chip cookies, consider shortbread. If you usually bring salsa and corn chips, try hummus with pita bread. These simple swaps instantly make your contribution more period-appropriate.
- Choose a Culture and Time Period. Pick a specific time and place that intrigues you. This could align with your SCA persona or simply a cuisine you admire. Perhaps the event has a theme, or you’re drawn to Spanish food. Personalizing your historical food journey makes it more engaging and fun.
- Find and Test Recipes. Search for recipes that sound appealing and give them a try. Numerous online resources and cookbooks are available (see suggestions below). It’s a good idea to test a recipe at home in a smaller quantity before bringing it to a potluck. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Experimentation is part of the fun! Keep trying until you find recipes you enjoy and are comfortable making.
Old World vs. New World: A Quick Food Guide
The Columbian Exchange dramatically altered global cuisine. Many ingredients we commonly use today were unknown in Europe before 1600. One of the easiest ways to approach period cooking is to avoid “New World” ingredients. While some New World foods were adopted into European cooking within the SCA period, their early forms were often quite different from what we know today. For example, sweet potato jam was period, but mashed potatoes were not.
Here’s a helpful, though not exhaustive, list to guide you:
- New World Foods (Avoid for Period Dishes): Potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, vanilla, chocolate, tomatoes, squash (winter and summer varieties), most beans (kidney, black, pinto, etc.), turkeys, quinoa, pecans, cashews, peanuts, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, cranberries, peppers (bell peppers, chili peppers), sunflowers, avocado, agave, huckleberry, jicama, manioc (cassava), wild “rice”, yucca, green beans.
- Old World Foods (Period-Appropriate): Barley, wheat, rye, carrots, parsnips, turnips, rice, lentils, garbanzo beans, fava beans, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, geese, deer, elk, many types of fish (herring, cod, salmon, etc.), millet, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, most common herbs and greens (parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, etc.), almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, eggs, dairy (cheese, butter, milk, cream), apples, onions, garlic, leeks, bees (honey), cane sugar, artichoke, asparagus, beet, cantaloupe, citrus (lemons, oranges, limes), cucumber, fig, grape, hazelnut, peaches, pears, radishes, pheasant, peacock, heron, mushrooms, gourds, and much more.
- Totally Modern (Avoid): Chemical leavening agents (baking powder, baking soda in modern forms), industrially processed foods, and many modern vegetable varieties (like rutabagas and sugar beets as modern cultivars).
Where to Find Period Recipes Online
The internet is a treasure trove of historical recipes. Here are some excellent starting points:
- foods.edu.vn (This Website!): Explore our recipe section! Use the search function or tags to find a variety of period-inspired dishes.
- Gode Cookery: http://www.godecookery.com/ – A vast collection of medieval recipes with transcriptions and modern adaptations.
- Medieval Cookery: http://www.medievalcookery.com/ – Another great resource with recipes and articles on medieval food.
- Cariadoc’s Miscellany: http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/cariadoc/miscellany.html – A classic SCA resource with a wealth of information on medieval life, including food and recipes.
For those who prefer cookbooks, consider exploring resources dedicated to medieval and Renaissance cuisine for beginner-friendly options.
Easy Potluck Contributions (No Cooking Required!)
Even if you’re short on time or not a confident cook, you can still bring period-appropriate items:
- Desserts: Candied ginger, dried fruit (dates, figs, raisins), shortbread cookies (look for simple recipes with minimal ingredients), dates, yogurt with honey, marzipan/almond paste, fresh whole or cut fruit (apples, pears, grapes), candied nuts (almonds, walnuts), baklava (from certain periods and regions), candied orange peels, quince paste (membrillo), fruit and nut “cake” (like Spanish “Pan de Orejon”), butter wafer cookies (check ingredients for period plausibility).
- Nibbles: Cheese (hard cheeses like cheddar or Parmesan, soft cheeses), olives, nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts), hard-boiled eggs, hummus (Old World style with olive oil and chickpeas) and vegetables/pita bread, salami and other cured meats (check for simple curing processes), pickled mushrooms (Old World varieties), pickled vegetables (cucumber, carrots – check New World/Old World lists), pâté (liver pâté or similar).
- Simple Dishes: Salad mix with oil and vinegar dressing, rotisserie chicken (plain roasted chicken is period), pre-cooked ham (simply prepared ham), smoked fish (herring, smoked salmon), sausages and mustard (simple sausages with mustard), pre-cooked meatballs (especially with a simple medieval sauce – vinegar, spices, breadcrumbs). Pasta (cheese ravioli, egg noodles, etc.) with butter and cheese can also work as a simple dish.
Final Thoughts: Have Fun with Historical Food!
Remember, bringing period food to an SCA potluck is about participation and enjoyment! Don’t stress over perfection. Embrace the learning process, experiment with new flavors, and share your culinary discoveries with your SCA community. Historical authenticity can be incredibly fun and rewarding – and delicious!
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