Flavors of the Heartland – March

March 11 – Josh Chitwood, making Baklawa | Lebanese | Included with admission

Food is a universal connector. It connects us to each other, reminds us of our past and introduces us to new cultures. The dishes we eat are flavored by the communities and cultures that call Indiana home. Take a break to enjoy the stories and smells of the dishes that make up our food heritage. Each month features a presenter sharing their food culture in this engaging and interactive conversation. Copies of recipes will be provided for guests to create at home! Presentations begin promptly at 1 p.m. and are not repeated during the scheduled time. 

Josh Chitwood is a direct descendant of Abraham and Latifa Freije, who were among the earliest Syrian-Lebanese immigrants to settle in Indianapolis in the early 1900s. As a child, Josh was always captivated by family stories and the passed-down art of Middle Eastern cooking. Separated by years of assimilation, Josh has been on a lifelong journey to piece together his family’s fragmented heritage. In 2021, this ongoing search led to the creation of his short documentary film, When We Were Syrian: Early Lebanese in Indianapolis. Currently, Josh and his wife, Morgan, are raising their three boys and running their film company, Chitwood Media, from their home in the Near West Side of Indy.

Baklawa is a flaky, buttery pastry made with layers of paper-thin phyllo dough, filled with spiced, chopped walnuts, and sweetened with rose water syrup. Lebanese Baklawa, or Baklava as the Greeks call it, is an ancient dessert popularized during the Ottoman Empire, and has been a staple in Arab Hoosier cooking since the late 1800s.

Upcoming Events

April 8 – Rachel Serago, making Koulourakia | Greek

*BONUS!* May 6 – Jyoti Verderame, making Bhel Puri | Indian

May 13 – Dani Tippman, making Nipoopi Lenaswa (Buffalo Stew) | Myaamia 

June 10 – Temicka Moore, making Sincere Savory Shrimp & Grits | North and South U.S.

July 8 – Jean Lee, making Shabu Shabu with Dashi Broth | Japanese 

August 12 – Ukrainian Society of Indiana, making Borsch & Pampushky | Ukrainian

September 9 – Daniel Del Real, making Gorditas & Salsa | Mexican

October 14 – Jeanna West, making Nickel Salad | Depression-Era Cooking