Food as a historical category: knowledge and food practices in the region of Vale do Rio Pardo (RS/Brazil)

Abstract

This article conducts an exercise of characterization of some dietary customs in the region of Vale do Rio Pardo/RS – Brazil, as well as presents a review and reflection on the analysis performed by Simon (2014) when trying to understand the influence or presence of characteristics of food templates "Roman" and "barbarian" in feeding habits of descendants of Germans and Italians in this region. In addition to bibliographical and documentary research, took part in the work methodology of participant observation, observation in loco, and semi-structured interviews with 39 subjects qualified regional communities investigated. It is considered that the identification of these characteristics in the regional cuisine of German and Italian settlers in southern Brazil should be seen in the perspective of a complex process and intercultural which is not reduced to the Roman food models and barbaric, but, yes, that occur in different processes of integration and adaptation.