Meet The 'Sioux Chef' Rediscovering Native American Cuisine

Published November 22, 2016 at 1:40 PM EST

What comes to mind when you think of food native to the U.S.? For many people it’s soda, hamburgers and hot dogs.

But think back further to a time when Native Americans were the country’s sole inhabitants, and there was no European influence on food.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young speaks with Sean Sherman (@the_sioux_chef), the “Sioux Chef,” about rediscovering Native American food and introducing it to the world.

Here are two of Sherman’s recipes:

Maple Glazed Roasted Acorn Squash With Toasted Pepitas

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

1 medium acorn squash, seeded and sliced, skin on
3 tablespoons sunflower oil
1/4 cup maple syrup, warmed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, rough chopped
1/4 cup pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place squash sliced into a bowl and drizzle with oil. Season with maple, salt, and sage and gently toss together.
Roast squash for 35 to 40 minutes occasionally tossing around, gently, to avoid sticking.
Seven to 10 minutes before roasting is complete, brush a small amount of maple syrup over each piece of squash and finish roasting.
Place in serving platter and sprinkle with toasted pepitas.

Cedar-Maple Tea

Ingredients

4 cups (loosely packed) fresh cedar boughs (rinsed)
1 gallon water
1 cup maple syrup

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a pot and simmer for 30 minutes.
Strain and serve hot or cool and serve over ice.