Nellie's Recipes

The plants, berries, fish, animals, seals and whales eaten in Alaska vary widely depending on where people live. These foods have many health giving properties. The recipes in this book contain some of these foods. They are easy to make with foods that you can buy at the store. And they will make Alaska Native elders feel closer to home. The nutrition label is included to show that these foods are an important part of healthy eating. The Role of Native Foods in a Healthy Diet Alaska Natives have been nourished by foods from the land, air, and water for thousands of years. They have had a lifelong association with these foods, seeking them, harvesting them, cleaning them, preparing them to be eaten or stored, keeping the foods safe from loss of spoilage, and enjoying them as foods. People take great comfort from eating the foods they’ve grown up with. These foods can be very comfortable to eat in times of illness and healing, and are very rich in the nutrients necessary for good health.

Native foods tend to be very good sources of nutrients like protein, iron, Vitamins A, D and E, and low in saturated fats and sugars. Native foods are the heart of culture and health. They provide close ties to the land and the seasons and the environment. Participating in harvesting, preparing, sharing and eating the foods along with others contributes to spiritual well being.