Immigrant Foodways Tour
Taught by Turnstile Tours
Turnstile Tours is a new company that highlights the ever-changing nature of New York City neighborhoods through conducting in-depth research, working with community partners, and seeking out new avenues to engage the public with the urban landscape. In addition to developing tours, we also work with partners to craft a variety of public programs and exhibits. For each of our projects, we partner with a community non-profit organization that works to keep neighborhoods vital and thriving, and at least 5% of all of our ticket sales goes towards supporting them. We are a New York State-registered benefit corporation, meaning that we are required to subject ourselves to an annual review of the performance of our social mission based on third party standards and post our findings on our website. We are so very grateful to the many people and institutions that have made this company possible. For more information, please contact us at info@turnstiletours.com
Once known for its pickles and kosher meat, today the eastern section of Williamsburg serves up herbal tea remedies from Mexico, sounds of salsa, and traditional ingredients and foods from Latin American and Caribbean countries. Based on more than 20 interviews with neighborhood residents and local business owners and original archival research, this tour explores the history of Brooklyn’s “Avenue of Puerto Rico” – once the heart of a Jewish community – and takes an in-depth look at the Moore Street Market, built in 1941 to mark the end of the pushcart era and today a centerpiece of the Spanish-speaking community.
By the end, you’ll be equipped with new knowledge about Latin American and Caribbean ingredients, a postcard map of the area, a follow-up email with traditional recipes to help you recreate the tastes and smells of the market, and hopefully an appreciation for the people that have made and continue to make Williamsburg a place to call home.
Meeting Point: We'll meet near the intersection of Broadway and Graham Avenue in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY. The exact meeting location will be provided a few days before the tour. This area is easily accessible by subway from the Flushing Ave (J,M), Flushing Ave (G), or Montrose Ave (L) stops.
Tastings: Tastings on the tour (6-8 total) may include (but are subject to change) morcilla sausage, green bananas and onions, roasted pork and chicken, tamales, sancocho stew, batidos (Latin American hand-made beverages), plantains, sorullos (corn fritters), tembleque, herbal tea, and tamarind juice. With advance notice, some dietary preferences/restrictions can be accommodated. Vegetarians can be easily accommodated, while vegans will need to double up on tastings at several of the stops.
