"When Oysters Were Kosher" - Jane Ziegelman at Spertus

By Anthony Todd in Food on Dec 16, 2010 7:40PM

Jane Ziegelman, author of the new book 97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement, will be giving a talk at the Spertus Institute this Sunday, December 19th at 2:00. Ziegelman is the director of the culinary center at New York's Tenement Museum.

Ziegelman's talk will be based on "Aunt Babette’s Cook Book," a 19th century cooking manual for Jewish homemakers, which included many of the classics of Jewish cuisine (gefilte fish, challah and latkes) alongside oysters, ham salad and other big no-nos. What does this text tell modern audiences about the way reform jews ate in the 19th century? How did tenement dwellers integrate their religious traditions and laws with the culinary options of their new homes? If you are as excited (or as nerdy) as we are, get on down to the Spertus this weekend. Tickets cost $18, and $8 for students.