Teaching about world cultures: What are some simple foods that characterize certain countries?

Question

Teaching a lesson to 3rd graders and I want them to "sample" foods from different countries as an illustration of different cultures.
Can you give me some easy characteristic foods. For example, olives from Greece, Tortillas from Mexico, small Egg Rolls from China or Japan, etc. even countries like the Phillipines, Mongolia, Khazakstan would be helpful. Thanks

Thanks so much to all of you, some amazing answer. This is gonna be a great lesson, I'm sure the kids will love it.

Answer 1

Keep in mind that at that age, they generally will not be that open to eating foods they aren't familiar with. Not every kid is like that though.

Some finger foods that would work:

Quesadillas/tacos from Mexico
Eggrolls from China/Thailand/Cambodia
Chocolate from Switzerland/Central America
Pizza from Italy (though it's origins are said to be actually China)
Russian tea cakes (cookies) from Russia
Crepes or cream puffs from France
Cheese from Denmark (also could apply to most European countries)
Shortbread from Scotland
Pineapple from Polynesia
Grapes or olives from Greece/Israel/Italy
Honey from Egypt (best served on something like a graham cracker or similar otherwise will be very messy)

Answer 2

If you want to do olives from Greece, make sure you go to a specialty food store and pick up "Kalamata" olives. They've got a very distinct flavor, that is much more pungent than just regular black olives. They also still have pits in them, which for kids, might not be a good thing. The pits can be projectiles. And, most kids that age don't like olives all that much. (I hated them!! I LOVE them now.) Just regular black olives do not come from Greece... the Kalamatas do. (Plus, regular black olives are gross, haha)

For Greece, I would suggest going to a specialty store and picking up a block of Feta Cheese, and cutting it up into little squares. Kids LOVE cheese, so that would be a really good idea. Unless you've got a Greek mom that you can get to make dolmades, (stuffed grape leaves with rice and ground lamb YUM) your best bet would be getting feta cheese! Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I've been through elementary school with my four children, one of the grade 4/5 teachers always had a world food festival. Each child did their report on the country they chose. Then they brought a food representing that country. I've made: Irish soda bread - Ireland, guacamole - Mexico , shortbread cookies - England, and pasta - Italy. Parents were always invited to the festival and a number of other grade teachers always popped by. It was one of the best days my kids remember at school.

Answer 4

You know, I actually MADE tortillas with a 3/4 class. It was great! Well, the experience was, though the taste wasn't the best.

Would rice be too much of a mess? It's a staple of so many. Scones? Pasta? Chocolate from Switzerland? Chutney? Pita bread, soda bread, some kind of potato dish?

Great, now I'm hungry.

Answer 5

Sushi from Japan; Mango from Phillipines; vegemite spread from Australia; green onion cake from China; pizza from Italy; perogies from Ukraine; goat milk from Mongolia.

Answer 6

South Africa - Boerewors ( a thick sausage) usually barbecued (Braaied) with Pap and Chakalaka.

Traditional South African farmer's sausage served with chakalaka - a spicy tomato and onion salsa - and sweet
corn miele pap (porridge)

Answer 7

we are friendly and curious an English is the main effective language spoken (so as that narrows it right down to Australia, the US, and Canada). And for all of them, meals and properties are very comparable as are the scholl structures.

Answer 8

Burnt Marshmellows on a stick. American Tradition.

Answer 9

cacik (pronounced jajik) --cucumber in yoghurt -- Turkey -- it's very easy to fix. Let me know if you can't find a recipe.

Answer 10

Maple for Canada (Quebec)

After all, it's right on our flag!! :D