Season's Eatings podcast

What if one of Trinidad's most beloved Christmas foods could tell the story of an entire island? Wrapped in a simple banana leaf, this dessert might look humble at first glance. But hidden inside is a history that stretches back centuries—long before Christmas arrived in the Caribbean. In this episode, we'll uncover the remarkable journey of this sweet cornmeal delicacy, tracing its roots through...

How did spices once worth fortunes help shape this regional specialty? Why did a humble sausage become so deeply connected to Christmas? And what can one holiday dish reveal about centuries of life in Belgium ? Join us as we uncover the history, culture, and Christmas tradition behind one of Belgium's most fascinating seasonal foods.  We're exploring the history and origins of budin de liege.    ...

While many associate it with New Year's Day across the American South, its roots in Virginia and the broader Tidewater region reveal something deeper: a culinary tradition shaped by movement, adaptation, and cultural resilience.  Its name sounds like a nickname and its ingredients, though simple, are steeped in symbolism.  We're exploring the history and origins of Hoppin' John.   Website:  https:...

This dessert is made from leftovers, and started in medieval Europe.  It can be made any time of the year but especially comes out during the holidays.  It's a combination of culinary resourcefulness, tradition, and transformation. We're exploring the history and origins of budin. Website:  https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/seasonseatingspodcast Instagram: ...

Some cookies cooperate. Zimtsterne do not. And yet, every December, across German-speaking Europe — and far beyond it — these white-topped cinnamon stars return to bakery windows and home kitchens as if they've always belonged there. Routed in medieval spices, baked in theology and tradition, we're exploring the history and origins of zimtsterne.   Website:  https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com F...

Dense, dark, and encased in pastry, it is not immediately inviting to modern eyes. This pastry offers an unusually clear window into Scotland's medieval past, its religious transformations, and the ways ordinary people adapted tradition to changing social conditions.  We're exploring the history and origins of black bun.   Website:  https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook:  https://www.face...

Merry Christmas all.  We're exploring the history of some of the amazing desserts I had, and still have, for the holiday season.  We're looking at the origins of lassy mogs, jam jams, and date squares: all staples on the Newfoundland holiday dessert platter.  Plus we'll hear some local Newfoundland artists for the holiday merry making. Thank you for listening to the podcast and I wish everyone a v...

This dish has its beginnings in Austria.   It's perfect as a treat after a day skiing down the mountains or shopping at all the Christmas markets during the holiday season.   The original recipe contained raisins, but now there's a whole list of toppings you can add.   We're exploring the history and origins of kaiserschmarrn. Website:  https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook:  https://www....

This delicious pastry is thought to have been created because the Vikings needed a sweet treat after battle.   While the original recipe contained apples, now you can find all sorts of different fillings for this dessert.   You can enjoy them while strolling through the Christmas markets with a cup of warm glogg.   We're exploring the history and origins of the fluffy Danish treat: aebleskiver. We...

This dessert takes us to the lush country of Indonesia.   Starting back from over 400 years Dutch colonizers brought their influence to create a dessert using local ingredients and customs.   Baked, but served chilled, this custard is made with everyday items found in the Indonesian kitchen.   We're exploring the history and origin of klappertart.   Dutch influence on nutmeg: https://sites.libsyn....

This Ethiopian meal is full of flavour and spice.   Its origin can be traced back to over 1000 years ago.   While the ingredients are simple, this dish is usually made for special occasions.   It's eaten with a spongy flatbread to soak up all the rich juices.   We're exploring the history and origins of doro wat. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sea...

This traditional dessert has been around for centuries and is considered part of Japanese culture.   It has connections to Buddhism and now can be found all over the country.   You can get it any time of the year, but at Christmas there are special holiday themes and designs.   We're exploring the history and origins of wagashi. Website:  https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook:  https://ww...

This savoury treat has its origins in pagan Europe and dates back to a time where each ingredient symbolized abundance and prosperity. It's a dish with similarities to other countries, by name and ingredients, but there's no true comparison to Latvia's version.   Filled with smoked meat, onions and a little seasoning, this simple dish a certainty on Christmas eve tables.   We're exploring the hist...

This holiday treat started as medallions of bitter chocolate topped with fruit or nuts.   People are clamouring for this sweet as early as September.   While the name may remind you of the surface of a tree, the modern version has only been around for about sixty years.   We're exploring the history and origins of peppermint bark. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://ww...

Christmas is a time of family gatherings, especially around food.   This dish has been around, some would say, for over 10,000 years.   Any good household would have hundreds on hand for larger families.   They can be filled with a variety of ingredients, but traditional masa wins out.   We're exploring the history and origins of tamales. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: ht...

This holiday treat started out in the first century but has become a staple for Christmas all over the world.  It was a way to use up stale bread and have something to eat during fasting.  It can be enjoyed with your favourite syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.  We're exploring the history and origins of French toast.   Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebo...

The holidays are filled with family get-togethers.   In case of unexpected guests, this dish can be made days ahead and can be kept at room temperature indefinitely.   It's the national dish of this South American country and can be made with almost any type of protein.   Its other main ingredient is a natural antiseptic and this dish is usually served with a bread shaped like braided hair.   We'r...

In Newfoundland and Labrador, you can tell Jiggs Dinner is being cooked before you walk inside. Steamed up windows are a sure sign there's a big pot of supper on the boil. Jiggs Dinner — a veritable melting pot of salted beef, root vegetables and yellow split peas — is one of the most recognizable and beloved meals in the province, and it's the one that makes people feel at home when they're a mil...

Christmas dinner around the world is a sumptuous amalgamation of spices, herbs cooked with a variety of meats and fishes. Most of us are used to cooking a turkey for the holidays.   Some may even have a buffet of fish and vegetarian dishes. This dish comes is connected to the Spanish word for milk but the dish has been around for centuries.   We're exploring the history and origins of lechon.   We...

Jewelled breads, studded with candied fruits and nuts, are hallmarks of the Christmas holiday. Fruitcake, panettone, and julekake are favourites, but for many, this dessert is king.   Resembling snow covered hills, this dessert is protected by law.   And we almost lost it to history because of a Pope's tax on butter. We are travelling to Germany to explore the history and origins of stollen. Websi...

This holiday treat is usually enjoyed during Easter and other celebrations, but it is common for the Christmas season.   When baked, it resembles a lovely head of braided hair. The most common fillings are walnuts, but you can find now with almost any type of filling and flavour.   We're exploring the history and origins of cozonac. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://...

This warm winter beverage has its origins in folklore and could be connected all the back to Roman times.   It was meant to wake up apple trees and has evolved into going door to door singing carols during the twelve days of Christmas.   We're exploring the history and origins of wassail. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasonseatingspodcast Instag...

For many Christmas eve is the main meal for the holiday season.   This dish started with a member of the carrot family but is now made mainly made from beets.   While it's consumed all year long, hot and cold, there's a special version made on Christmas.   We're exploring the history and origins of barszcz.   Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasons...

This dessert has its origins in pre-Christian traditions, but the modern version has only been around for a few hundred years.   While it's usually done as a log shape, newer creations have a more avant garde approach to the dessert.   We're going back to the sweets table and getting a second helping of the Yule log. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...

This dish is rich in flavour and history.   Its origins come from Brazil and Africa, but now can be found in the country of India with a touch of Portugal. Its truly a dish that crosses the world. This pork stew is made for large gatherings so it's obvious it will be prepared for the Christmas feasts.   We're exploring the history and origins of sorpotel. Website: https://www.seasonseatingspodcast...