Religious Culture and Food...

I've always been fascinated by certain Mennonite traditions, especially those concerning food. Having grown up in the Mennonite Church I had ample opportunity to experience the Church's traditions on food. In my opinion the grandest of all food related traditions that the Church holds to is the Potluck. The Potluck is a focal point in the Church for great food and even better fellowship. Many wonderful memories are to be had at a Potluck, from the creamy taste of a chicken casserole to the heavy laden dessert table, oh and not to forget the fellowship.

Continuing with my opinion, the second of all great Mennonite food traditions would be the Mennonite Relief Sale. Here is a sale and auction event where the collected funds are used by the Mennonite Disaster Service. So what Mennonite Relief Sale would be complete without many traditional foods. And I'm talking large quantities of food, like donuts, brunswick stew, apple butter, ice cream, BBQ chicken, and an equal number of other foods that I don't have time or space to mention.

I've never limited just the Mennonite Church to having food related traditions. I'm sure many other religions have there own food culture that gives meaning to the fellowship they have within their religious experience. Since moving to Utah I've begun hearing several traditions that the LDS Church practices. Silly little traditions that give great meaning to their religious experience, much in the same way that Relief Sale donuts give meaning to my own Church experience.

Today I came across a well written travel article that explained several food traditions coming from the state of Utah. I'll clarify by saying that each of these traditions are in fact ones that I have heard belong to the LDS Church. I have copied this article from www.fodors.com and will close by allowing you the privledge of reading this information for yourself.

Mormon Munchies

The Mormon religion has helped to shape the state's cuisine as well as its culture. The church advises followers to refrain from drinking beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Some people theorize that this has led to the development of a collective sweet tooth. Sweet red punch is perhaps the state's most popular beverage, ice cream is consumed in great quantities (though the weight-conscious have switched to frozen yogurt), and shops that serve fresh pastries are all the rage.

Green Jell-O gelatin -- topped with miniature marshmallows and mixed with grated carrots or cottage cheese and pineapple -- appears at every Mormon social function. In 2001, when Salt Lake City lost its title as the number-one consumer of Jell-O to Des Moines, Iowa, the state legislature got into the act. During a visit by Jell-O Company spokesman and comedian Bill Cosby, lawmakers declared the wiggly stuff as Utah's official state snack. The tide turned and for the time being, more of the stuff is consumed per capita than in any other state.

At family functions such as potluck dinners, weddings, and funerals you'll often see a dish that's dubbed "funeral potatoes." It's made from potatoes, cheddar cheese, canned soup, and sour cream -- all baked and covered with buttered bread crumbs. One favorite that's readily available at restaurants is fry sauce. The originator of a local hamburger chain, Arctic Circle, invented this combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, and spices. It caught on, and most locals demand the sauce for their french fries at all burger joints.