Walleye Connection

It is interesting to think about how much food is associated with the progression of a person’s life. From childhood to the time where one may have a family, the types of food you eat can act as a symbol of what you want in your life. One of my favorite quotes from my uncle is as follows: “If I have to choose to believe someone’s words or their actions, I’ll always choose their actions.” There couldn’t be a better part of life to apply this than food. People say they can change the way they eat, but the things you eat define who you are and the memories you possess. The things people eat are the most concrete actions in day-to-day life; no matter what you say about your diet, or lack there of, the only thing that matters is what you end up eating.

For me, the only food item that I can completely define myself by is a fish called walleye. Minnesota doesn’t have too many things that just scream, “this is such a Minnesotan thing”, aside from the ridiculous amounts of lakes and a heavy accent, but the walleye is one of the most prized fish to catch and eat in my home state of Minnesota. The reason this fish has been such an important part of my life is that I have been catching and eating this fish for my entire life, and the people/occasions in which I eat it encompass every aspect of my home. Whether it be fish frys with my cousins in the summer, fishing for them with my best friends, cooking them one the grill with my dad at our hunting camp, or bonding with the people from my hometown at festivals and fishing opener. This fish is the source of so many of my memories as a very young child all the way through today. When I think back to all the great summers I’ve been apart of, this fish is one of the biggest pivot points I can think of. How can an entire three-month period of time be summed up by one food item? This is a result of the cultural actions held amongst Minnesotans. Again, I think it is important to note the distinction between talking about different cultures and foods, but it means so much more when these conversations become experiences through actions.

The best part about a meal like walleye is that it can hold such diverse memories for a person. I remember going to my grandparent’s cabin, which is in one of the furthest northeastern towns in Minnesota, when I was about five years old. My uncle and my dad took me out on the boat to go walleye fishing very early in the morning. It is always so exciting getting up earlier then the sun to go spend time with people who mean the most to you. We stayed out on the lake for the entire day catching really big walleye in a lake that is hardly known for the walleye population. We all caught our limit by 5 pm, so we drove back to the cabin to clean the fish for one of the most memorable fish frys I have ever been apart of. Being with my family in the most beautiful place I’ve been to while eating some amazing fish that you caught hours before is a really fun feeling. As I grew older, these times kept being slightly altered from the last, however, the walleye was always the common denominator. I went to my dad’s friends place for fishing opener. This weekend in Minnesota is very hectic and exciting as a result of the cold May water temperatures and crisp, unpredictable weather. This place was one I had never seen anything like in my life: a cabin on the water that was strictly used for fishing weekends like we had on our hands. Being only 13 years old, I was pretty unaware of the festivities that were being had by the surplus of middle-aged men, but I had been fishing my whole life so I was excited for what lied ahead in the morning. The fishing was spectacular as a result of frantic fish being taunted by thousands of fishermen. This memory carries different memories for me for a few reasons. It was changed from a whole family event to one with just my dad. This means even more after he moved out and my parents got a divorce a few years ago. It is hard to look back on this memory because of how much hurt he caused my sisters, mom, and myself. This is contrasted with such an amazing time up at the fishing cabin. Even though these are different memories, I still have my culture that is formed from this wonderful fish. Now these more confusing memories are replaced by walleye fishing with my best friends on our own boats or fishing with my friends dad’s near Canada, carrying on the traditions of our culture.

Like I said, no matter what people tell you, the best thing to believe about a person is their actions. That is why the walleye will continue to be apart of my identity in the future; it will always stand as the link between every aspect of my life. Despite the changes as we grow up, there needs to be a way to define who you are and your culture. 

Family Meals

It seems to me that people tend to have a more enjoyable dining experience when they can share it with their family or other loved ones. No matter where you eat, the meal will be more tasteful, fun, and memorable if you are in the presence of some people you love. This makes sense because we are more comfortable with these people, therefore making the meal more relaxed. I personally would enjoy eating a meal with my family as opposed to not.

Defining Culture Through Food

Whether your idea of culture is based on religion, heritage, or just family tradition, people organize and define who they are by the foods they eat. Two articles, one written by Roy Ahn and the other written by Geoff Nicholson, encompass two very different cultural backgrounds. Both of these food-orientated articles touch different types emotions from what the authors discuss.

Nicholson talks about the past with a more reminiscent tone with the goal of conveying the wonderful experiences with his mother through food. His fondest memories were those when he was eating cheese, processed white bread, and whole milk with his mother. He bring up the growing societal ideal of the "no-white-food movement", but he ties this into this idea that it doesn't matter how healthy you are eating if the things you eat don't have any tie to your culture or what you believe in.

Ahn's memories of the collision of food and culture grasp a different tone of relief and appreciation. Ahn, a Korean man, is a soon-to-be father married to an American women. Not only did Ahn's parents move to the US with him, he still lives there now; hence his common theme of losing his Korean heritage. He understands how many memories he has of the Korean culture that are related to food. The imbalances in his life that he discusses directly correlate to what food he was eating at the time. Now that he has his child born and his direction in sight, he has the strongest urge to cook Korean food and share his culture with his child.

Ahn and Nicholson are both significantly changed by how they interact with food. This brings the idea up to me that no matter what your culture is, it can be greatly defined by what food is associated with it.  This reminds me of my exceedingly strong Irish decent. My grandmother used to always have corned beef and mashed potatoes in one of the most flagrant accents I've ever heard. No matter where you look, food will forever bring people together and define cultures around the world.

My Last Meal

There really is nothing better than having a great meal with great people. After a week in New Orleans for spring break, our group decided to go have one last outstanding meal before we made our trek back to Denver where Sodexo inevitably awaits. This was one of the best steak houses in New Orleans that was recommended by our friend who grew up there. We were told to order the our favorite filet; they promised it would be second to none. As if the modest yet sophisticated atmosphere weren't enough, they more than kept their promise on the food. The bacon wrapped filet was so well done that all ten people were speechless from the service, atmosphere, and the food itself. Maybe it was just the timing of this amazing meal, but it was definitely one that I will remember for a long time.This steak was so tender and enjoyable I'm not sure that any other steak would be par with this piece of steak. The potatoes and bottled coke were a great addition to an unbelievable experience as well.  Southern hospitality is a real thing. These people made one of the most impressive, flavorful steaks I can remember. The sight of a ton of your friends frantically eating an amazing meal so as to catch a flight that departs in less than an hour also added to the memorable experience. The fact that an establishment can make something like this meal is definitely an interesting thought, and I am happy that I was privileged enough to be able to enjoy it. Overall, this meal was an awesome experience that I will remember for many years to come. Well done New Orleans, well done.