Three Sisters Soup
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The Story of the Three Sisters
Like many Native American stories, the story of the three sisters can vary from nation to nation. This is the story from the Eastern Woodlands people... |
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There once was a village who was continuously struggling with their harvest. Each year they were left with less food than the last, and winters were becoming troublesome. Many in the village were worried about the years to come and what they would do without a successful harvest. It became that the people were starting to starve and needed to do something soon.
One day, an elder women from this village had a vision that came to her in a dream. In this dream, she found herself in a field, with no one else for miles. She was looking down at the dirt below her and all she could think about was the lack of growth and how hard they had been struggling. When she finally looked up, she saw three women approaching her. They seemed far in the distance but before she knew it they were close enough to speak to her.
She saw in these women's hands three small baskets. Within these baskets were just a few seeds.
The first sister handed her the seeds and revealed them to be corn. She said to plant these seeds at top of a small planting mound. The corn will grow tall and provide support.
The second sister then hands her bean seeds. She instructs her to plants these seeds at the mid level of the mound, and with the corns help, the beans will sprout vines up the corn stalk.
The third sister then hands her squash seeds and tells the women to plant these at the base of the mound. The squash will protect the other plants allowing all three to grow healthily.
The women is told that if she plants these seeds the way she's instructed her village will never go hungry again, and that is exactly what happened. When she woke up she began planting and the following harvest her village had plenty of food for winter.
One day, an elder women from this village had a vision that came to her in a dream. In this dream, she found herself in a field, with no one else for miles. She was looking down at the dirt below her and all she could think about was the lack of growth and how hard they had been struggling. When she finally looked up, she saw three women approaching her. They seemed far in the distance but before she knew it they were close enough to speak to her.
She saw in these women's hands three small baskets. Within these baskets were just a few seeds.
The first sister handed her the seeds and revealed them to be corn. She said to plant these seeds at top of a small planting mound. The corn will grow tall and provide support.
The second sister then hands her bean seeds. She instructs her to plants these seeds at the mid level of the mound, and with the corns help, the beans will sprout vines up the corn stalk.
The third sister then hands her squash seeds and tells the women to plant these at the base of the mound. The squash will protect the other plants allowing all three to grow healthily.
The women is told that if she plants these seeds the way she's instructed her village will never go hungry again, and that is exactly what happened. When she woke up she began planting and the following harvest her village had plenty of food for winter.
The Modern Science behind the Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Not only do the three sisters rely on each other physically, they also help each other chemically. The three create a perfectly balanced nutrient cycle and moisture barrier.
One common problem in planting is nitrogen levels. In this case, corn is a heavy feeder of nitrogen which is the primary nutrient for plant growth. However, beans work with special soil bacteria called Rhizobium to take nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into a stable mineral form in the ground. This naturally fertilizes the soil, feeding both the corn and the squash.
Another common problem is that bare soil loses water quickly to evaporation, causing dirt to bake, crack, and harbor weeds. However, The broad leaves of the squash plant grow low to the ground, acting as a living mulch. They completely shade the soil, which blocks sunlight to stop weed seeds from sprouting and traps moisture in the earth so you don't have to water as often.
Not only do the three sisters rely on each other physically, they also help each other chemically. The three create a perfectly balanced nutrient cycle and moisture barrier.
One common problem in planting is nitrogen levels. In this case, corn is a heavy feeder of nitrogen which is the primary nutrient for plant growth. However, beans work with special soil bacteria called Rhizobium to take nitrogen gas from the air and convert it into a stable mineral form in the ground. This naturally fertilizes the soil, feeding both the corn and the squash.
Another common problem is that bare soil loses water quickly to evaporation, causing dirt to bake, crack, and harbor weeds. However, The broad leaves of the squash plant grow low to the ground, acting as a living mulch. They completely shade the soil, which blocks sunlight to stop weed seeds from sprouting and traps moisture in the earth so you don't have to water as often.
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Three Sisters Soup
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Three Sisters Mash
1 to 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 1 wild onion or large shallot, chopped 1 small summer squash or zucchini, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 cup Cedar Braised Beans 1 cup sweet corn kernels 1/2 cup cooked hominy 2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 teaspoons chopped sage 1 tablespoon chopped mint Generous pinch smoked salt Film a large skillet with the oil and set over medium heat. Cook the onion or shallot until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Add he squash and continue cooking until tender, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in the beans, corn, and hominy and cook until the corn is bright and tender, about 5 minutes. Then stir in the maple syrup, sage, and mint. Season with salt. Serve warm. Serves 4-6 people 
From The Sioux Chefs Indigenous Kitchen
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