An Appalachian Visit

An Appalachian Visit

Author: Rachel Mosses April 11, 2023 Duration: 46:19

In this episode I talked with Aaron Bobick the host of Appalachian Folklore Podcast and Stories from the Cabin, a storytelling podcast within a podcast and we talked all things food, folklore and story.

Aaron is a brewer-turned-distiller by day. His undergraduate and graduate studies were in literature, bibliography, and textual editing where he gained a love for research; for finding the history of any given topic that interests him. 

His research into UK folklore is what started his fascination with the history of Appalachian folklore: how the folk practices still seen today through various regions of Appalachia can be traced back to much older practices throughout Europe, and the world. The podcast takes a researched-based, academic-adjacent, look at the world of Appalachian folklore while making it approachable to all listeners.

You can find the podcast by following the link above or wherever you get your podcasts and his most recent episode explores one of the topics we discussed in much more detail: Ramp Harvesting, Festival Traditions, and Sustainability.

The links I mentioned in the episode:

The Cornish Pasty in Northern Michigan by William G Lockwood and Yvonne R Lockwood - Food in Motion, The Migration of Foodstuffs and Cookery Techniques – Proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 1983

Orange Chips - Vittles Article about Chippy Traditions

Fried Chicken - This is the Guardian article that I mentioned by Melissa Thompson where she discusses Fried Chicken and racism (my apologies to Melissa as I referenced Korean Fried Chicken in the episode but I should have said karaage from Japan) . Her new book, Motherland, is fabulous and is packed with excellent, mouth-watering recipes.

Interview with Robbie Armstrong - How Food Frames Stories

Green Bean Casserole - This is the book chapter Aaron references.


You can find also find the interviews in my newest interview series here: How Food Frames Stories. You can find my interviews with storytellers here: Vernacular Voices of the Storyteller 

You can also subscribe (or just read) my free newsletter for further snippets of folklore, history, stories, vintage recipes, herblore & the occasional cocktail.

You can also find out more at Hestia's Kitchen which has all past episodes and the connected recipes on the blog.  If you'd like to get in touch about the podcast you can find me here



Rachel Mosses hosts Folklore, Food and Fairytales, a podcast that sits at the comfortable, worn-in table where narrative and nourishment meet. Each episode begins with a story-a piece of folklore, a fairytale, or a lesser-known myth-and then delves into the culinary world hidden within its lines. The discussion isn't just about whether the porridge in a tale is symbolic or simply a relatable detail; it's about unearthing the real food history and traditions that those fictional meals echo. You'll hear about the rituals of both eating and storytelling, and how each feeds a different kind of hunger. This podcast naturally explores how recipes are themselves stories passed down, and how the history of a dish can be as compelling as the plot of a legend. Listen for a thoughtful blend of narration and analysis, where a great story is always served with a side of fascinating context, leaving you to ponder the deep, savoury connections between the tales we tell and the food we share.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 50

Folklore, Food and Fairytales
Podcast Episodes
Rebel Folklore - An Interview with Icy Sedgwick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:17
If you want to pre-order Icy's new book Rebel Folklore you can find links below: US Bookshop.org : Pre Order Link UK Bookshop.org : Pre Order Link You can also find out more about Icy at her website You can find more abo…
The Laird with a Heart of Gold or The Bannock Brouhaha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:06
In which we find out that certain tropes aren't always true, that a heart of gold sometimes needs assistance and that brownies and a bannock in the house are invaluable. We also venture into peat bogs and cheese riots in…
A Cawl Tale or The Cheese Ownership Conundrum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:04
This episdoe is a little different but I hope you enjoy a wonderful Welsh tale from fantastic storyteller Owen Staton and our chat in which we barely touch the depths of how both food and stories can break down barriers…
Why Cats & Dogs Disagree or the Risotto Resolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:23
In which we discover that taking care of animals is its own reward, fishermen are somehow inherently magical, womens voices can achieve change and a good risotto creates its own legend. Our story: Why Cats and Dogs Disag…
The Search for Luck or the Egg Extravaganza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:41
In which we find out that eggs are not as straight forward as you might think, that luck doesn't really come into it, that truths can be uncomfortable and that the advice you recieve from old women is invaluable no matte…
Prince Lindorm or The Onion Protocol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:48
In which we discover that princes can be forgiven anything, that women are destined to some sorrow no matter what they do, that onions aren't always just onions and secure mail is essential. Our story: Prince Lindorm, ad…
The Brave Little Shoemaker or The Ricotta Resentment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
In which a shoemaker reluctantly becomes a hero, a princess reluctantly gets married and we discover the relevance of a giant, a unicorn, a wild boar and some ricotta. The Story in this episode is: The Brave Little Shoem…
The Christmas Cuckoo or The Barley Bread Allegory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
The Story in this episode is: The Christmas Cuckoo - This story is adapted from a literary fairytale written by Frances Elizabeth Browne from a book called from Granny’s Wonderful Chair, first published in 1856. Frances…
The Palace That Stood on Golden Pillars or The Porridge Pomposity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:43
In which we discover that if there is ever a choice between a cat and a cow, choose the cat, arguments over porridge are rarely worth it and that the main differences between royalty and commoners is that commoners get a…
Two Ghosts & a Goblin or The Slightly Scary Story Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
The Stories in this episode are: Old Tommy & The Spectre, Box on the Ears and The Cook & the Goblin adapated from Ruth Manning Sanders This is another just the stories episode, this time for All Hallows Eve. There are th…