June 27, 2009
Teaching about world cultures: What are some simple foods that characterize certain countries?
Kala asked:
Teaching a lesson to the third selectors and I vogliali a "sample" foods from different countries as an illustration of different crops. Do you have certain foods characteristic easy. For example, olives from Greece, the tortiglii from Mexico, small lump from China or Japan, countries etc.. even Gradica the Philippines, Mongolia, Khazakstan would be useful. Thank you Thanks so much to all of you, some amazing response. This is going to be a great lesson, I 'M sure the kids will love.
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Teaching a lesson to the third selectors and I vogliali a "sample" foods from different countries as an illustration of different crops. Do you have certain foods characteristic easy. For example, olives from Greece, the tortiglii from Mexico, small lump from China or Japan, countries etc.. even Gradica the Philippines, Mongolia, Khazakstan would be useful. Thank you Thanks so much to all of you, some amazing response. This is going to be a great lesson, I 'M sure the kids will love.
Create a video blog
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Comments on Teaching about world cultures: What are some simple foods that characterize certain countries? »
Burnt Marshmellows on a stick. American Tradition.
Sushi from Japan; Mango from Phillipines; vegemite spread from Australia; green onion cake from China; pizza from Italy; perogies from Ukraine; goat milk from Mongolia.
You know, I actually MADE tortillas with a 3/4 class. It was great! Well, the experience was, though the taste wasn't the best.
Would rice be too much of a mess? It's a staple of so many. Scones? Pasta? Chocolate from Switzerland? Chutney? Pita bread, soda bread, some kind of potato dish?
Great, now I'm hungry.
I've been through elementary school with my four children, one of the grade 4/5 teachers always had a world food festival. Each child did their report on the country they chose. Then they brought a food representing that country. I've made: Irish soda bread - Ireland, guacamole - Mexico , shortbread cookies - England, and pasta - Italy. Parents were always invited to the festival and a number of other grade teachers always popped by. It was one of the best days my kids remember at school.
Keep in mind that at that age, they generally will not be that open to eating foods they aren't familiar with. Not every kid is like that though.
Some finger foods that would work:
Quesadillas/tacos from Mexico
Eggrolls from China/Thailand/Cambodia
Chocolate from Switzerland/Central America
Pizza from Italy (though it's origins are said to be actually China)
Russian tea cakes (cookies) from Russia
Crepes or cream puffs from France
Cheese from Denmark (also could apply to most European countries)
Shortbread from Scotland
Pineapple from Polynesia
Grapes or olives from Greece/Israel/Italy
Honey from Egypt (best served on something like a graham cracker or similar otherwise will be very messy)
tabouli and falafels from lebanon
Sarmale from ROMANIA
Maple for Canada (Quebec)
After all, it's right on our flag!!
cacik (pronounced jajik) –cucumber in yoghurt — Turkey — it's very easy to fix. Let me know if you can't find a recipe.
South Africa - Boerewors ( a thick sausage) usually barbecued (Braaied) with Pap and Chakalaka.
Traditional South African farmer's sausage served with chakalaka - a spicy tomato and onion salsa - and sweet
corn miele pap (porridge)
If you want to do olives from Greece, make sure you go to a specialty food store and pick up "Kalamata" olives. They've got a very distinct flavor, that is much more pungent than just regular black olives. They also still have pits in them, which for kids, might not be a good thing. The pits can be projectiles. And, most kids that age don't like olives all that much. (I hated them!! I LOVE them now.) Just regular black olives do not come from Greece… the Kalamatas do. (Plus, regular black olives are gross, haha)
For Greece, I would suggest going to a specialty store and picking up a block of Feta Cheese, and cutting it up into little squares. Kids LOVE cheese, so that would be a really good idea. Unless you've got a Greek mom that you can get to make dolmades, (stuffed grape leaves with rice and ground lamb YUM) your best bet would be getting feta cheese! Good Luck!!