Foods Accessible to Slaves: The African American Traditional Core Diet

Meats, Poultry, and Seafood

Pork Extremities
Chicken Extremities
wings, necks, back, and feet
Chicken Organs
livers and gizzards
Wild Game
rabbits, squirrels, deer, and
opossums
Seafood
dried and salted herring;
freshwater fish, such as trout,
catfish, kingfish, croaker, black
and red drum, and flounder;
and shellfish, such as crabs,
clams, and mussels

Vegetables, Legumes, Tubers, and Grains

Green Vegetables
okra; collard, mustard, and
turnip greens; poke salad,
cabbages; and pumpkins
Legumes
cowpeas and lima beans
Tubers
white potatoes, sweet potatoes,
onions, and turnips
Grains
rice, corn, and wheat
Wild Berries

Breads, Sweets, and Beverages

Breads
cornbread and biscuits
Desserts
sweet breads made with
molasses or honey
Beverages
buttermilk and teas made from
roots and herbs, such as
sassafras
(United States: African American Foodways)