appalachian food summit. @dailyyonder #travismilton #locallygrown #rural #sustainable

Growing up in Appalachia you learn some things, you now what a ramp is, you probably have raised honey bees (or at last know somebody who has) and you learn to appreciate the unique foods.

Ramps are used in many dishes and are considered to be a part of the Appalachian Culture.

"In mid-May chef Travis Milton prepared a locally sourced meal for about 70 participants in the first Appalachian Food Summit at Hindman Settlement School in Eastern Kentucky. Lora Smith reports in Ace Weekly that the highlights of Milton’s feast were “a kilt lettuce salad with homemade crab apple vinegar, sour corn, beaten sweet potato biscuits served with cured ham, honey butter and pepper jelly, fried catfish with a tomato gravy, potatoes with foraged ramps and bacon, and green tomato hand pies.”

During his trip to the Food Summit Travis was able to visit the area in Virginia where he grew up. "Walking into that utility building reinforced some thoughts and feelings I’ve had for quite some time now. While we face the present and try to plot a course for our future, the beginning of the answers lies in our past. I am very proud of where and what I come from, and I want us to all be able to take pride in where we are going."

While reading this I felt that connection with my past, and as emotions welled up, I wondered what the future holds. "Let’s resurrect the walls of our canning sheds, our spring houses and our long lost homesteads so our families, our history and our memories are not forgotten. This is our time and our future, so pull up a chair, because everyone is welcome at this table."

Referenced from The Daily Yonder.