Mennonite Foods and Folkways from South Russia: Volume 2 [With 16 Historical B & W Plates]

There are more folkways than food in this meticulously researched chronicle of the Russian Mennonites. The Protestant sect, known for austerity of vision and practice, got started in the Netherlands, then spread to Russia in the 19th century and later to Canada, Paraguay and the U.S. A descendant of Ukrainian Mennonites, Voth chooses to include only 100 recipes here, but they give the reader a good sampling of the sturdy stuff that seemed to travel so well across continents: zwieback, stewed chicken with anise, pfefferminzsic cookies. She also provides details about Mennonite homes, music, education and even stove design, while surveying contemporary members of the clan about their lives, meals and customs--``If there was good weather before Easter, it was customary to do a spring cleaning before the holiday''; ``Raising flowers and vegetables has always been important in the lives of Mennonite women.'' The recipes, none of which are especially complicated, are grouped with descriptions of typical celebrations. (July)