Native American Foods

This is an authentic example of aboriginal American cooking, one not dependent on obscure ingredients or labor-intensive preparation. A form of journey bread, high in protein and fat, these cakes could be crumbled and added to boiled or roasted winter squash, or used to flavor soup.

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pine nuts
salt to taste

Grind everything together. The mix will be rich and oily. Form into flat cakes, about 2 tablespoons each. The Zuni wrapped them in leaves and baked them in ashes, which would add a smoky flavor; but you can wrap each cake in aluminum foil and bake in a moderate oven for 35 minutes. Unwrap foil packs and let cool.¬†

Adapted from American Indian Food and Lore, by Carolyn Niethammer (1974)

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