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In The Age Of Migration By Hasia R. Diner

Good Essays

While examining a culture, most people would typically think of the language, religion, style of dress, and customs of that particular group, but some people fail to realize the importance of that culture’s food. During the late 1800s and early-mid 1900s, many various ethnic and cultural groups immigrated to the United States and brought with them their cuisine. In the novel Hungering for America: Italian, Irish, and Jewish Foodways in the Age of Migration by Hasia R. Diner, the ways of which American culture has shaped the food culture of immigrants in the US and how their foods influenced American cuisine. There were two prominent groups—Italians and Irish—that immigrated to the US that were either greatly influenced and/or influenced by …show more content…

The food that helps to identify the Italian culture was not drastically changed by American food. One way that their food was changed by American culture, according to Robert Woods, was that Italians consumed “a better quality and variety of food than in Italy” (Diner 51). Many Italians that immigrated to the US were able to incorporate more foods into their daily diet. For example, in Italy they would only consume meat a few times a year, but in America they had meat a multiple times a week. Also, olive oil became a main staple in many Italian-Americans’ homes. The white bread that they consumed in the States was also much better in comparison to the black bread they once ate in Italy. Also, Italians in America developed a “fondness for beer” (Diner 600) and would commonly consume it with their meals. On the other hand, the Italians had a large impact on the food culture of America. The American food culture began to replicate Italian food by using “Italian” herbs and labeling things “Italian style.” For example, Americans would eat “Italian sausage,” but sausage was a rare dish that was specific to certain towns in Italy (Diner 61). They would also incorporate “Italian” seasonings into dishes like meatloaf. In addition, pizza was replicated and transformed into the pizza we know now. The pizza that was a result of it …show more content…

Although the Irish food culture was not changed in the typical way that had occurred with the Italians, it was still significantly altered. While food did not define Irish culture, many Irishman changed their view of food after they came to America. Before immigrating to the US, food was something they often lacked in Ireland. After being in the US, the Irish realized that “food no longer carried the same stigma of shame and want” (Diner 132). Many of the Irish slowly began to realize that food can represent one’s identity without being attached to a stigma. For instance, “Irish bacon and greens” became a symbol of the Irish culture since bacon was not attached to shame unlike the potato. With the influence of the American food culture, the Irish were finally able to embrace their own food culture. At the same time, the Irish contributed in the changing and the challenging of the American food culture. For instance, the Irish established a drinking culture within America by opening salons. While there was already a presence of alcohol in the US, the Irish helped to enhance it. Alcohol was something that “heightened their Irish identity” (Diner 139) and aided the Irish in establishing themselves in America. The Irish food culture did challenge American cultures due to the fact that many viewed the “Irish men

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