native foods

The seed library maintained by the Jijak Foundation contains dozens of native varieties of corn, beans, tobacco, watermelon and ancient squash.

Science
Arts

How Native American Tribes Saved A Giant, Ancient Squash From Oblivion

5:34pm June 23, 2016

by Rebecca Williams

Native Americans in the Great Lakes region have cultivated the giant squash for centuries. Now tribes are sharing the seeds with each other and with small farmers to bring the plant back.

Nephi Craig, executive chef of The Summit Restaurant at Sunrise Park Resort in Whiteriver, Arizona.

'Going Green' Is Really 'Going Native': Western Apache Chef Nephi Craig

11:29am April 04, 2016

by Hanna Choi

Chef Nephi Craig of the Apaches in the Kitchen blog reflects on what the "mainstream" culinary world has to learn about Native foodways.

Yaupon growing in the wild in east Texas. This evergreen holly was once valuable to Native American tribes in the Southeastern U.S., which made a brew from its caffeinated leaves.

National

Here's The Buzz On America's Forgotten Native 'Tea' Plant

12:13pm August 11, 2015

by Murray Carpenter

It's called yaupon. Native Americans once made a brew from its caffeinated leaves and traded them widely. With several companies now selling yaupon, it may be poised for a comeback.

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Akutaq or agutak â also known as Eskimo ice cream â is a favorite dessert in western Alaska. It's made with berries and frothed with fat, like Crisco.

Arts

For Native Alaskans, Holiday Menu Looks To The Wild

11:19am November 26, 2014

by Martin Kaste

Thanksgiving menus traditionally celebrate the bounty of late fall. In rural Alaska, that means walrus, moose, fermented fish heads and Eskimo ice cream — salmonberries mixed with Crisco.

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