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An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement

Thomas Mann

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97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement

by Jane Ziegelman

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2225 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	276 pages

In the heart of New York City's Lower East Side, at 97 Orchard Street, stands a tenement building that has housed thousands of immigrants over the years. These immigrants came from all over the world, bringing with them their own unique food cultures. In this essay, I will explore the edible history of five immigrant families who lived in this building, and how their food traditions shaped their lives and helped them to adapt to their new home.

The Italian Family

The first family I will discuss is the Italian family of the Pellicanos. The Pellicanos came to New York City from Naples, Italy, in the early 1900s. They settled in a four-room apartment on the third floor of the tenement building at 97 Orchard Street. The Pellicanos were a poor family, and their diet was often simple and frugal. They typically ate a lot of pasta, beans, and vegetables. On special occasions, they might have a roast chicken or a pot of meatballs. The Pellicanos also made their own wine and bread.

The Pellicanos' food traditions were a source of great comfort to them. They helped them to feel connected to their homeland and to their family. The Pellicanos also shared their food with their neighbors, who were often from other immigrant groups. This sharing of food helped to create a sense of community in the tenement building.

The Pellicano Family Outside Their Apartment At 97 Orchard Street. 97 Orchard: An Edible History Of Five Immigrant Families In One New York Tenement

The Jewish Family

The second family I will discuss is the Jewish family of the Cohens. The Cohens came to New York City from Poland in the late 1800s. They settled in a two-room apartment on the fourth floor of the tenement building at 97 Orchard Street. The Cohens were a religious family, and their food traditions were heavily influenced by their Jewish faith. They kept a kosher kitchen, and they only ate meat that had been slaughtered according to Jewish law. The Cohens also observed the Jewish holidays, and they would often prepare special foods for these occasions.

The Cohens' food traditions were a source of great pride to them. They helped them to feel connected to their faith and to their community. The Cohens also shared their food with their neighbors, who were often from other immigrant groups. This sharing of food helped to create a sense of community in the tenement building.

The Cohen Family In Their Apartment At 97 Orchard Street. 97 Orchard: An Edible History Of Five Immigrant Families In One New York Tenement — The Cohen family in their apartment at 97 Orchard Street.

The Chinese Family

The third family I will discuss is the Chinese family of the Wongs. The Wongs came to New York City from Canton, China, in the early 1900s. They settled in a one-room apartment on the fifth floor of the tenement building at 97 Orchard Street. The Wongs were a poor family, and their diet was often simple and frugal. They typically ate a lot of rice, noodles, and vegetables. On special occasions, they might have a roast duck or a pot of wonton soup. The Wongs also made their own soy sauce and tofu.

The Wongs' food traditions were a source of great comfort to them. They helped them to feel connected to their homeland and to their family. The Wongs also shared their food with their neighbors, who were often from other immigrant groups. This sharing of food helped to create a sense of community in the tenement building.