Every culture has its own food, but queer culture is different because there is no set cuisine.
For example, when you think of food culture in Italy, you might think of pizza or pasta, but queer culture doesn’t have that.
Instead, queer food culture is all about creating a space for all queer individuals to come together. Getting together, supporting each other and providing a safe, inclusive space is what makes food queer.
Creating an inclusive environment embodies what queer food culture is meant to be. The New York Times wrote that “food has become a trope by which the queer community has found commonality, sought visibility, championed diversity and encouraged activism.”
Although queer culture doesn’t have a defined cuisine, queerness still has a place in the culinary world. Since togetherness is the root of queer food culture, some of the Fusion staff came together to create our very own dinner party, the gay supper.
Savanna’s Caprese Salad-
- 3-4 heirloom tomatoes, sliced.
- Salt and pepper
- 12-16 oz. fresh mozzarella, sliced.
- Balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil
STEP 1. Lay your slices of tomatoes out on your serving tray. Season them with salt and pepper.
STEP 2. Add your slices of mozzarella onto your seasoned slices of tomatoes.
STEP 3. Top with your balsamic glaze, garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
Antonia’s Feta Pasta Bake-
- 10 oz. cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz. block of feta cheese
- 3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- ⅔ c. olive oil
- 1lb. pasta
- ½ c. reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan
STEP 1. Preheat oven to 400º. Place an even layer of cherry tomatoes in a glass baking dish. Place the feta block in the middle of the dish, on top of the tomatoes. Add the sliced garlic to the baking dish. Add the olive oil- make sure it evenly coats all ingredients and forms a small layer in the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes.
STEP 2. Cook the pasta 1 to 2 minutes less than the suggested cook time. Drain, but be sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
STEP 3. Return the noodles to the pan and pour the cooked feta and tomatoes into the pan. Mix and add the reserved pasta water. Remove from the heat and add basil, salt and pepper. Stir and enjoy with parmesan.
Alyssa’s Sugar Cookies-
- ½ c. butter
- 1 c. sugar
- 3 tbsp. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
- 2 ¾ c. flour
STEP 1. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the milk, vanilla and eggs. Mix together and then add the dry ingredients.
STEP 2. Roll the dough into a ball, flatten and chill for several hours.
STEP 3. Preheat oven to 350º. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out until it’s about ¼ inch thick. Cut out into desired shapes and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
STEP 4. Optionally, decorate with the icing recipe below.
- 4 c. powdered sugar
- ½ c. butter, softened
- 3 to 4 tbsp. milk
- 2 tsp. vanill
Mix all ingredients together.