While talking to a local in Kotzebue, it became clear that native foods were the way to go. The local store's grocery prices were ridiculously high compared to what I was used to. I don't like lettuce that much.
So when the nurses of the Manillaq Healthcare Center had a potluck, there featured some native foods that we were able to try. Everyone was eager to see the "tourists" try whale, also known as muktuk. It had a chewy texture, similar to calamari and tasted slightly fishy. We were also able to eat moose chili, which was some of the best chili I've had in my entire life. The muktuk is on the left and the moose chili with accessories on the right. The orange berries were some salmonberries and the purple are blueberries.
At another potluck we were invited to, there was reindeer stew. It tastes like a cross between venison and beef. Beefy texture with a less gamey taste than venison. When I asked what the difference between caribou and reindeer was, I got the answer "About 100 pounds." So I'm guessing that reindeer and caribou taste the same.
The reindeer stew is pictured on the right. On the left there is sheefish, one with a lemon seasoning and another plain. Vegetables, crackers, and Pilot Bread with a salmon spread. Someone also made chocolate cake. We were told that Pilot Bread is a staple because it lasts for a long time.
Another native food that we didn't have the opportunity of trying was "black meat", or seal. The oil made from seal is used as a dipping sauce and is high in Vitamin C. I will admit that I was very surprised when I was told whale hunting, walrus hunting, and seal hunting was so common in Alaska. But after talking to a local I realized, that's what they had for food. Cows wouldn't be able to survive in the tundra, but there's an abundance of fish, Snowshoe hare, and other arctic animals. You need to be able to adapt to where you live and the Alaskan Natives adapted well. I was also surprised to see how healthy these unusual options were.
Seal is high in protein and iron. Seal oil is high in vitamin C. Whale is high in Vitamin A, D, and E. Sheefish is high in protein, B-12, and calcium.
Berries and vegetables are harvested throughout the summer and frozen. Because of the short growing season, a lot of the vegetables must be bought fresh from the market and the high price can really limit how much a family will buy. The cheaper foods are usually high in carbs and fat, making them an unhealthy choice. Unfortunately, this can contribute to the high statistics of locals with Heart Disease and Diabetes.
The hospital is working hard to combat that, offering healthy choices in the cafeteria and providing pamphlets on healthy eating. Their Long Term Care unit also provides healthy eating choices, as well as native foods.
Another native food that we didn't have the opportunity of trying was "black meat", or seal. The oil made from seal is used as a dipping sauce and is high in Vitamin C. I will admit that I was very surprised when I was told whale hunting, walrus hunting, and seal hunting was so common in Alaska. But after talking to a local I realized, that's what they had for food. Cows wouldn't be able to survive in the tundra, but there's an abundance of fish, Snowshoe hare, and other arctic animals. You need to be able to adapt to where you live and the Alaskan Natives adapted well. I was also surprised to see how healthy these unusual options were.
Seal is high in protein and iron. Seal oil is high in vitamin C. Whale is high in Vitamin A, D, and E. Sheefish is high in protein, B-12, and calcium.
Berries and vegetables are harvested throughout the summer and frozen. Because of the short growing season, a lot of the vegetables must be bought fresh from the market and the high price can really limit how much a family will buy. The cheaper foods are usually high in carbs and fat, making them an unhealthy choice. Unfortunately, this can contribute to the high statistics of locals with Heart Disease and Diabetes.
The hospital is working hard to combat that, offering healthy choices in the cafeteria and providing pamphlets on healthy eating. Their Long Term Care unit also provides healthy eating choices, as well as native foods.