Photo – Page 6 – Taste of Home

Festive Tables of Latvian Communities Abroad: in Different Times and Countries. Photographs From the Collection of the Museum Latvians Abroad.

In Latvian communities outside Latvia, it is customary to offer a plentiful table at festive events. The food is prepared in various ways — participants may bring baskets with homemade treats, or a ladies’ committee may take responsibility for setting the table. For private celebrations, Latvian catering companies often prepare the food.

Ladies’ Committee Canapé Party! (Inta Šķiņķis)

Inta Šķiņķis hosted a birthday party with a Ladies’ Committee canapé theme! She invited everyone to revisit childhood memories and bring a plate of Ladies’ Committee canapés in two categories: traditional Ladies’ Committee canapés and modern interpretations in a global style. The event also included a competition, awards were given for best traditional canapé, best modern interpretation, best taste, and best appearance.

How Can You Shred Cabbage Without Having a Beer? (Pēteris Freimanis)

Pēteris Freimanis shares childhood memories of his grandmother’s sauerkraut and tells how he began fermenting cabbage himself, inspired by his friend Aigars. This activity has become a tradition for him.

Little Māra Went Into the Forest… (Māra Zeps)

“Little Māra went into the forest, the green forest was her home.” I heard this from my grandmothers while going mushroom picking together in the beautiful forests of Latvia. Unforgettable memories. I lived in Garciems for the first six years of my life. During the Second World War, my family began the life of refugees. On October 4, 1944, we left Riga. Upon arriving in Germany, we lived in the barracks of the Fischbach camp. That’s where I started elementary school. The lessons were conducted in Latvian. In December 1949, my family had the opportunity to go to America, to earn a living as lumber workers. Later, we moved to Milwaukee.

Fermenting for three generations in Canada (Aija Zichmane)

Aija Zichmane (née Bramane)’s parents began fermenting cabbage in Canada in the 1960s. When they grew older, the sauerkraut-making tradition — along with the large fermentation barrel — was taken over by Aija and her husband Klāvs. Every autumn, they organized sauerkraut-making gatherings, involving a wide circle of relatives and friends. Today, the tradition is carried on by the next generation, and Aija’s son-in-law, a Canadian named Brad, has been crowned the “Cabbage King”!

Madara Riley – Mushroom Maddie

On Facebook, you can find Madara Riley, a Latvian living in the United Kingdom, who is very passionate about mushroom picking. She shares her stories, experiences, knowledge, and inspires others.

Certified Mushroomer from Michigan (Larisa Mednis)

Larisa Mednis thinks that her interest in mushrooming comes from her Latvian roots. A number of years ago Larisa joined a mushrooming club in Michigan, USA, where she learned to forage and identify mushrooms from specialists in the field. Today Larisa holds a certificate in wild mushrooming from the State of Michigan, which allows her to legally sell mushrooms. As a vegetarian, Larisa uses mushrooms as a meat substitute in various favourite recipes.