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Port of Call: Enjoying the Food of New Orleans
Each month, the participating Dietary and Life Enrichment teams in the communities that Saber Healthcare provides services to will offer a monthly Port of Call program. On Port of Call days, residents of these participating communities will enjoy delicious food and fun activities from the chosen country or city.
New Orleans is our destination for February! New Orleans is known for its Creole and Cajun cuisine, which reflects the culture of the city and surrounding areas along the Mississippi River. Let’s dive into the food of New Orleans as well as some of the fun things to do in the area!
New Orleans: Creole and Cajun Food
Some of the earliest settlers in New Orleans were the Creoles, who were descendants of those who first arrived in Louisiana. Many of these immigrants came from France and Spain, but a portion of the population possessed a Native American and West African lineage as well.1
The French, Spanish, West African, and Native American food traditions all mixed together to create Creole cuisine. Creole meals are very similar to French cuisine in the sauces and preparation methods used. Creole dishes often include the ingredients onions, bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, and okra.1
It is relatively difficult to find records of early Creole cuisine from 1800 to 1840 because most of it took place at home. As a result, many recipes were passed down through word of mouth. In fact, even the most authentic Creole food today is found in domestic kitchens.2
One early Creole proverb, “Misé fe macaque mangé piment (“Misery makes the monkey eat red pepper”), comes from the fact that peppers are an important cooking ingredient in this culture. After the Spanish period, citizens of New Orleans were relatively limited in what they could grow or find off the land. As a result, many households grew one or two varieties of hot peppers to add flavor to their meals.3
Creole cooking is similar to Cajun cooking, and the difference is Creole food usually uses tomatoes as a base while Cajun food does not. Some foods commonly eaten in Creole cuisine include gumbo, shrimp, redfish, and grits. Cajun foods are often meat-heavy, including dishes such as jambalaya and boudin. While Cajun food is also served in New Orleans, it is more common in Breaux Bridge and Lafayette.4
Rice is another important ingredient found in much of Creole and Cajun cooking, with people living in Louisiana eating more rice than most Americans. Most Creole dishes are cooled off by the addition of rice. Deep-fried rice balls were also once seen as an early-morning breakfast food and sold throughout the city.5
Louisiana currently produces 850 million pounds of seafood each year, which makes it the second largest seafood producer in the United States. Many meals found in New Orleans contain seafood such as shrimp, crawfish, crab, finfish, oysters, and alligator.6
Fun Things to do in New Orleans
New Orleans is a fun city to visit any time of the year! With a rich history and enjoyable culture, here are some fun activities and places to see in New Orleans!
Visit Museums
New Orleans is home to many unique museums that cater to people of all interests. There is the National Museum of Art as well as the Ogden Museum of Art for people who want to explore art from different cultures and enjoy a variety of exhibits. For history lovers, the Historic New Orleans Collection is dedicated to teaching people about the culture and history of New Orleans. The Mardi Gras World is a collection of Mardi Gras floats that are used each year to celebrate the holiday. This exhibit is a unique experience for people who want to learn more about different cultures!
Audubon Zoo
The Audubon Zoo is a place for animal lovers of all kinds! You can visit the aquarium and see all of the different species of fish our oceans have. There is also an insectarium for people who are brave enough to see different bugs in person. This zoo also offers parks as well as focuses on different conservation efforts and initiatives.
Explore the St. Louis Cathedral
The St. Louis Cathedral is a famous Catholic cathedral in New Orleans. They are open to the public and even offer visitor tours for people who want to enjoy the architecture. You can attend a church service or come visit the cathedral to check out the breathtaking architecture!
Sightsee the Jackson Square
One of the landmarks of New Orleans is the Jackson Square. In this square, there are 3 bronze statues of Andrew Jackson. This square has plenty of historic buildings to sightsee, and is also the home of many festivals and activities in New Orleans.
Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuisine_of_New_Orleans
- https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/eat-drink/article_e69d0657-950e-50d6-9542-9a28133f8fa8.html
- https://www.americanheritage.com/true-and-delectable-history-creole-cooking#4
- https://www.neworleans.com/restaurants/where-to-eat/cajun-or-creole/#:~:text=Cajun%20and%20Creole%20food%20are,traditional%20Cajun%20food%20does%20not.
- https://www.thedailybeast.com/secretsofcreoleandcajunfood#:~:text=Originating%20in%20New%20Orleans%2C%20Creole,African%2C%20and%20Native%20American%20cooking.
- https://www.louisianaseafood.com/