In Person Author Talk: Hawa Hassan, Setting A Place for Us
Location:
Event Date:
May 19, 2025
Event Time:
06:30 pm - 08:00 pm
We're thrilled to welcome James Beard Award winning author (and former Seattleite) Hawa Hassan as we celebrate her latest book, Setting A Place For Us. An enthralling, intimate collection of essays and over 75 recipes, Setting A Place For Us explores the history of eight countries to understand the impact of geopolitical conflict and its outcomes on cuisine and food systems. Hawa will be in conversation with Seattle Times food writer Tan Vinh.
Reservations are non-refundable and include a signed copy of the $37.99 book. Applicable sales tax and a $0.75 transaction fee are also included.
About Setting A Place For Us:
Countries dealing with major conflict are rarely portrayed in a well-rounded light by the media. Images of disarray and decline saturate their narratives, ignoring the strength, resourcefulness, and ingenuity that arise from having to navigate conflict. With empathy, curiosity, and an insistence on sharing different aspects of human survival, Hawa Hassan gathers singular, multifaceted narratives for eight countries from around the world.
Each chapter is devoted to a different country and opens with an informative essay on the culture and its history. Recipes follow highlighting indigenous ingredients and share intimate portraits of the people preserving food culture, including food from:
• Afghanistan, such as Bolani (Stuffed Flatbread) and Borani Banjan (Stewed Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt)
• Democratic Republic of Congo, such as Chikwanga (Cassava Flour Cake) and Pondu (Cassava Leaf Stew)
• Egypt, such as Ta’ameya (Fava Bean Fritters) and Ghorayeba (Shortbread Cookies)
• El Salvador, such as Sopa de Res (Beef Shank Soup) and Pupusas con Curtido (Filled Masa Flatbreads with Cabbage Slaw)
• Iraq, such as Shorbat Adas (Lentil Soup) and Bamia (Lamb and Okra Stew)
• Lebanon, such as Malfouf (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) and Mouhamara (Spicy Walnut and Red Pepper dip)
• Liberia, such as Ground Peanut Soup and Kala (Sweet Fried Dough)
• Yemen, such as Saltah (Lamb Stew with Fenugreek Fruth) and Sahawiq
An original and groundbreaking work, Setting a Place for Us returns agency to the people whose stories, up until now, have been ignored in the media. It sheds light on the important work of preserving recipes and food traditions in places of conflict and migration.
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