Meat + Three Heritage Radio Network

Pralines, a sweet concoction of sugar, butter, and pecans, are more than just a staple of New Orleans cuisine. They carry with them a rich legacy of adaptation and survival, embodying the spirit of a city known for its resilience. This episode delves into the bittersweet history of pralines, revealing their deep connections to the legacy of slavery, the innovative spirit of African American women, and the enduring fight for freedom and equality.

In this episode of Meat and Three, Taylor Early is joined by co-host Jessica Gingrich, a journalist and food historian who has spent the past 3 years reporting on the intertwined histories of pralines, systemic injustice, and the Angola 3. Central to this story is Robert King, a member of the Angola 3, who spent decades in solitary confinement at Angola Prison. King's journey from his grandmother's kitchen to making pralines in prison highlights the power of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

In addition to King’s story, this episode delves into the broader history and cultural significance of pralines, tracing their origins from the kitchens of enslaved African American women to modern-day entrepreneurship. Food historian Dr. Zella Palmer provides insights into how pralines became a source of empowerment for Black women, despite discriminatory practices. Additionally, we examine the brutal realities of forced labor in Louisiana's prison system are examined through the firsthand account of prison rights activist Kiana Calloway, who discusses the harsh conditions at Angola Prison and the broader implications of prison labor on our food systems.

A food memory is never just the meal itself. It’s the people who cooked it, the chatter around the table, the distance traveled and time waited just to taste this food. Today, we’re serving up a smorgasbord of experiences from each member of the Meat and Three team. From fresh-squeezed juice in Mexico City to the late-night fast food haunts of competitive swing dancers, we’ve got messages from the whole team on the food they love, and the places that make that food come alive with meaning.

Further Reading:

If you wanna hear the story of how Chef Eric See got his restaurant from concept to opening day, check out The Build. For more info about the wine we drank, check out Sapere, brought lovingly from Napa to Ursula by the lovely sommelier Sacha. After binging the season, NYC locals; go have a bite and a drink at Ursula (and tell Eric that Taylor sent you!)
For more of the hilarious Chala June, check out their Instagram!

Cooking a meal is often compared to creating a work of art. From the recipes that inspire you, to your PALETTE of spices, to the smells and tastes that stir up emotions, all of it comes together on an edible canvas as an expression of the inner self. It’s no wonder so many cultures deeply intertwine food with identity. To explore this connection, we’re revisiting Meat and Three stories with our brand new interns. We’ll be talking about our loyalty to grocery store chains, the past and future of soul food, nostalgia for Jewish deli dinners, and the little moments in the kitchen which shape us.

Food sovereignty foregrounds all of our conversations on Meat and Three. If communities are unable to feed themselves freely, safely and sustainably, food cultures can not thrive. From seed banks preserving Indigenous crops, to Israeli control of Palestinian food systems, we kickstart our 16th season by revisiting stories from the Meat and Three archives that center food sovereignty as imperative to maintaining diverse, nourishing food cultures.

Go behind the scenes at HRN with Behind the Internship where you’ll find out  what it’s like to become a podcast producer for HRN’s flagship show, Meat + Three. Tune in to the premiere episode and get to know  Sophia Hooper, Danielle Flitter, and Addison Austin-Lou, three interns in HRN’s Research & Radio Internship Program. Hear about their first steps into podcast production and see what it takes to begin a career in the food media world.

Our Meat and Three Season 16 trailer was engineered by Sam Gerardi.

Be sure to subscribe to the Meat and Three feed wherever you get podcasts to stay up-to-date on new episodes of Behind the Internship: a sneak peak behind the M+3 production process, brought to you by the interns themselves!

Behind the Internship is produced by Rachael Markow, engineered by Armen Spendijan, and hosted by Taylor Early.