My object is a candied yam and marshmallow dish. Yams came from the South and this dish has been passed down by several generations. It is crucial to my American identity. I do not think any other country would put together two very different ingredients like yam and marshmallow.  This dish is lightly sweetened and it is made up of layers of yams, brown sugar, syrup, butter, and marshmallows. My grandmother taught me this recipe about three years ago. She learned how to make it from her mother and her grandmother (my great great grandmother). They learned it from their family before them. They lived in Kentucky and this is the only dish passed along to me from my the American side of my family. My other side of the family is Chinese and many dishes are also passed along. I knew it made my grandmother happy transferring her culture to me. This dish is important to me and my American identity because it creates bonds between my family. During Thanksgiving, I make this dish with my dad and grandmother, and we make memories of working together. This dish reminds us to always come together even during busy times. We only have this opportunity once a year, so it makes it unique and rare.  It reminds me of past Thanksgiving celebrations and also lets me think about how my ancestors might have made this in the mid-1800s.

– SH

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more