Eat This Word: Benne Seed
JBF Editors
WHAT? Sesame seeds by another name. West African slaves introduced the seeds to America (along with okra, yams, and black-eyed peas), and the Nigerian name for them, "benne," stuck, at least in the American South. The Africans considered the seeds lucky. Today, benne wafers—thin cookies/crackers made with sesame seeds—are closely associated with Lowcountry cooking, a style of cooking centered in Charleston, South Carolina. And they're often served at Kwanza too.
WHERE? Savoring the South
HOW? Pimento Cheese on Benne Seed Crackers