You asked, and we’re answering—again! Ask Gastropod returns to answer some of our listeners’ most pressing culinary queries: how did elaborate, expensive cakes become the standard dessert for weddings? Did the deep fried cornmeal blobs known as “hush puppies” get their name from Confederate soldiers or racist stories from the plantation-era South? And could a trendy "new" variety of milk (that's actually ancient) allow the dairy-intolerant to snarf down cheese and ice cream without digestive consequences? This episode, we’re diving deep on the science, dispelling some myths, and correcting the historical record with the help of a team of experts. Listen in now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
So this is Adrian.
I'm located in New Jersey in the US and I listen to a lot of food media and have heard a lot of different claims about the origin of the word hush puppies.
Hi Adrienne and the rest of you gastropod listeners, you are the reason we make the show.
And so this episode we thought we'd turn the tables and ask you what you want to know.
Hi gastropod, my name is Bethany.
I'm calling from San Diemas, California.
I have a question about wedding cakes.
Hush puppies for starters, wedding cake for dessert.
And what are we going to wash it all down with?
A glass of milk.
In this case, a glass of a two milk.
Because listener Ezekiel Williams wanted to know what it is and why people say that even though theyre dairy intolerant they can drink milk as long as its the a two variety.
What is that were on the case?
We of course are gastropod, the podcast that looks at food through the lens of science and history.
Im Nicola Twilley and Im Cynthia Graeber.
And this episode.
Are hush puppies racist?
Why do we celebrate weddings with a multi tiered, super fancy, sometimes not particularly tasty, very expensive cake?
And can poor dairy intolerant me actually drink a glass of a two milk?
We've got the answers to all these important questions, but first an important announcement.