[Homestead] Benne

EarthNSky erthnsky at bellsouth.net
Mon May 18 11:41:08 EDT 2009


While vacationing in the SC Low Country, I chanced upon Benne crackers, 
AKA Sesame seed crackers.  Sesame seeds, known as Benne (or Benni or 
Bene) in the Mendi language of Africans, were allegedly brought to the 
US by slaves for good luck.  It is still popular in the lowcountry, and 
during the 1950's was grown even in Texas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame

This wiki article is worth the read, if for no other reason than the 
etymology of the word sesame.  I love sesame seeds and I put them in my 
breads and top homemade buns and such.  Soon, I will make sesame brittle 
and those Benne crackers/wafers. Sounds good as well as nutritious.
The seeds could be pressed for oil, even.  Here's the PFAF page:

http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Sesamum+indicum

It requires more research, but it would seem to me to be a worthwhile 
venture to try to grow sesame on a homestead.  I don't think I could do 
it, but perhaps Leslie or Sage might try it.

http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=19746701540


-- 
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public 
debt  should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered 
and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed 
lest Rome become bankrupt.  People must again learn to work, instead of 
living on public assistance."

--Cicero, 55 BC
http://erthnsky.blogspot.com/


More information about the Homestead mailing list