Indian Lore - Traditional Cooking Ideas

[alex gregory]

I thought it would be fun to try some traditional native american cooking techniques on camp-outs. Give the boys a chance to try something new and satisify a few merit badge requirements for Indian Lore and Cooking.

I've boiled water with hot rocks in an iron pot for the heck of it, but the more traditional technique is using an animal skin in a shallow pit or rock circle. My thought was a venison or clam stew with some onions and carrots. Has anybody out there done this? Give me some tips.

My other ideas were pemmican (suet, dry berries and elk jerky), and salmon on a stick. I'm particularly interested in regional recipes from the Pacific NW since that's where I be (if I were back in NM it would be carne adobado with flat bread and posole).

[ams]

I am a fan of Native Indian stuff. Thoughts:
1) There are native garden Clubs. Often they have info about how the native USED the plants
2) Elementary School Libraries.
3) Museum Libraries.
4) Local "Spots of Interest" might have info.

How NW? I am here in San Diego County and have some books.

It is usually an interesting search. Enjoy.

[SoCal76]

The Manataka American Indian Council has tons of recipes. From their homepage ( www.manataka.org ) scroll down to the lower left to "Search Manataka's Website", enter keyword 'recipes'

Also, if you are interested in supporting a tribe, the Quinault Nation of Washington's Pacific Coast Olympic Peninsula operates Quinault Pride Seafood and sells shellfish and seafood.