Foodlore - one of the more popular categories of folklore - is a 'tasty' way for each culture (each society) to pass on information about their customs,and beliefs. For example, in some cultures certain foods are either appreciated or prohibited during specific times, such as holy days and celebrations (i.e., oranges during the Chinese New Year, and only unleavened bread during Passover).
The rich nature of these food traditions have been passed down for generations not only as recipes but as folk wisdom. These original food stories reflect some of that folk wisdom.

I am a fiction writer (and folklorist/anthropologist) who learned when facilitating writing workshops that writers wanted to write about what they knew and they wanted to do so in ways that reflected what people, places, things, and events meant to them personally. Sometimes that was very pragmatic and sometimes the telling took on qualities of magic realism, like those included in this book

I have been writing since my early elementary school days. Since then my repertoire includes non-fiction as well as fiction, journalism, and research.
I am fortunate enough to have earned literary honors in almost all of these categories.

The particular book is a revision of the original Black Pepper Visions. New stories have been added and some have been removed.

Most often, my fiction writing arises from a meditative place. I go to the creative well-spring inside and write the stories that are there to be written. I trust the process and that allows me to let the stories reveal themselves without poking, pushing or prodding on my part.
This work is always initially done by hand. I write, write, write in whatever rhythm the story appears in. I do not think of the craft of editing until the original piece of work has been produced.
My non-fiction writing is more 'intentional' in focus. Often there is a goal in mind that the work is designed to meet. Strong writing skills and critical thinking (from my many years as a journalist) really come in handy here.