November 24, 2025<\/h2>\n
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Ah, the smell of the season! Each holiday season, I embrace the smells wafting from the kitchen and the traditions they come with. The bread is kneaded by my mother and I, following my grandmother\u2019s recipe. The caramel corn is cooking low and slow in the oven, being stirred carefully by my niece. My nephews are stealing just one more cookie from the cookie jar \u2013 it\u2019s the holidays, after all, why not let them! Food traditions are steeped in our family histories. The foods we eat all year long are shaped by our families and communities, with blends of cultures coming together to imbue our palates with delicious flavors from across the world.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nCasey Terry and Bethany Hrachovec make perogies during the March 2025 Flavors of the Heartland event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If you have joined us for Flavors of the Heartland this year in person, you have undoubtedly heard our speakers share stories from their families and communities, with recipes covering the globe. The holidays are a time filled with food traditions, and we would be remiss not to bring you one virtually while trees fill our mobile kitchen area!<\/p>\n
While rooting around in our collections, I stumbled across Miss Beecher\u2019s Housekeeper and Healthkeeper, published in 1874, and a page filled with gingerbread recipes. Deciphering historic recipes can be a challenge \u2013 a fun one! Since we can\u2019t gather in person during Festival of Trees, check out our video making this recipe: https:\/\/youtu.be\/1A41lrXQnwo<\/a><\/p>\n
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