Women in Medieval Mediterranean Food Studies

Abstract 

Domestic manuscripts, such as cookbooks and collections of medicinal recipes, have a rich tradition across Iberia. Though perhaps less examined than other manuscripts, the breadth of manuals dedicated to domestic affairs is impressive. Cátedra and Rojo underline the importance of “los recetarios —gastronómicos, cosméticos, medicos” as “libros casi exclusivamente de uso y transmisión femeninos,” forming a link between these women and the materiality of manuscripts. However, within this 600 year breadth of texts, we have a historiographic problem. In the list above, every formalized, often indexed, closed book of recipes, if it has an author, is described as being written by a male, or as anonymous, with male authorship assumed.  De Miguel in his article, “Letras en la cocina. El primer recetario femenino: el Libro de apuntaciones de guisos y dulces” even identifies an 18th century cookbook as women’s first contribution, the “primer recetario,” to culinary writing. Dr. Moneypenny proposes not that men did not create recipes, but that they are not the creators of them all, despite the deafening exclusion of women from this record. She also argues that women participated in recipe-making and cookbook writing throughout the Middle Ages. Despite their exclusion from the cookbook record, the historiographic record attests again and again that cooking was a woman’s work and key to her happiness or survival. Women occupied these spaces, created these foods, and passed down their knowledge to their daughters in their own ways. The work of uncovering the female voices behind the Iberian kitchen should be undertaken. 

Biographical Statement 

Dianne Moneypenny's research focuses on food studies, medieval Spanish literature, and teaching and learning (including online languages, study abroad, and transparent teaching). Her sabbatical research has been supported by professional development funds from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, a research grant from Indiana University East Academic Affairs, and an exchange with the University of Bologna funded by Indiana University Bloomington.