“Live by the land, live by the sea” is the underlying philosophy behind traditional Gullah-Geechee cooking, as illustrated by Kardea Brown’s recipes for Crab Rice and Snookums’s Okra Soup in her first cookbook, “The Way Home: A Celebration of Sea Islands Food and Family With Over 100 Recipes” (Amistad, $34.99).
Gullah Recipes are based on rice, simmered vegetables, and fresh seafood. Specifically, oysters, shrimp, grits, and okra are commonly incorporated. These beloved, cultural dishes boast rich history and even richer flavors. Here are five Gullah recipes for your next meal.
In South Carolina’s Lowcountry, descendants of the Gullah-Geechee, Africans brought to the state during slavery, are reviving the cuisine that defined the city. Okra soup, a Gullah staple, is similar to gumbo but starts with a tomato base instead of a roux.
Traditional Gullah-Geechee music crossed over into the mainstream during the Civil Rights era.