food – Living History in the Star Wars Galaxy

Artifact ID: Driss pod

It’s been a while since our last Artifact ID post, but early May always makes me think of the Prequels, and in a bit of serendipity I was able to identify an obscure Episode I artifact while exploring an awesome plant nursery last weekend. Browsing through a display of seed packets, I noticed this gourd looked subconsciously familiar:

If you’re a Prequel aficionado like me—and have spent way too much time poring over DK’s Episode I Visual Dictionary — you might know where this is going.

Artifact ID: Mos Pelgo silver bowls

While giving The Mandalorian’s season two opener a rewatch I noticed something in the scene where we are first introduced to the Marshal ‘Cobb Vance’. When Vance removes his helmet and sits down, he places the helmet on the table next to a particular style bowl. I probably wouldn’t have noticed it until perhaps a fourth or fifth casual reskim of the episode, had Jon Favreau not lampshaded the helmet with a gratuitous closeup.

This one was a pretty easy identification, since I grew up using bowls just like this for my morning granola and yogurt!

Artifact ID: Greef Karga’s cup

Thus far I haven’t posted anything related to The Mandalorian, but this one was “all too easy”.
copper-india Too often, Star Wars prop collectors fixate on weapons, armor, and vehicles. But we—who are engaged in Star Wars living history—know there’s more to life in the Galaxy Far, Far Away than fighting: there’s also…DRINKING! Continue reading “Artifact ID: Greef Karga’s cup”

Galaxy’s Edge merch: ‘Resistance MRE’

resistanceMRE Continuing our look at merchandise available at Disney Galaxy’s Edge, up next is the ‘Resistance MRE’. This sells at GE for $25, and is the one item I’ve actually been able to check out in person (shout-out to Seth for picking one up for me–thanks, pal!)
If this seems unfamiliar, it’s probably because it has nothing to do with the Sequel Trilogy ‘Resistance’–that’s just another attempt by Disney to impose ‘their’ setting as the dominant one. This should more accurately be called a Rebel Alliance ration kit!, and is based on the one Luke Skywalker brings with him when he first travels to Dagobah in search of Yoda. Continue reading “Galaxy’s Edge merch: ‘Resistance MRE’”

Artifact ID: blue milk cups

This is another one of those on-screen artifacts I had a really easy time identifying, because I grew up seeing identical cups in my mom’s kitchen drawer of plastic cups and bowls—except hers were a sort of seafoam-ish green:
640-8green
The cup that Luke drinks from is an actual vintage Tupperware cup, known as a “Sweet Saver” (product #640-8) meant for storing and pouring liquids like maple syrup or salad dressing.
These are often available and relatively inexpensive on eBay, or you may get lucky by combing your local thrift shop for vintage Tupperware.
Continue reading “Artifact ID: blue milk cups”

Artifact ID: Neimoidian Silver Cups

As this post goes live on January 1st (by Gregorian Reckoning), I thought it would be nice to have something that would tie in with celebratory toast-making and libations.
This was a pretty simple artifact to identify, and like the refugee water bottle from a few weeks ago, the actual items are fairly plentiful, easy to find, useful, and SHINY.

The scene: Year 3 after the Great ReSynchronization (32 BBY), aboard the Trade Federation battleship Saak’ak (Profiteer). The Neimoidians, stalling for time before they deal with the Chancellor’s negotiators, send a protocol droid into the conference room. The droid enters bearing a tray of refreshments; our Jedi heroes accept the cups and sip politely…until the Neimoidians pump toxic gas into the room and everything goes to hell.
Continue reading “Artifact ID: Neimoidian Silver Cups”

Recipe: Yoda Stew

(as made BY Yoda, not WITH Yoda!)

This has been shared all over in the last 34 years, but I thought it would be fun to include here as there are so few edible connections to make with the GFFA.
While I wish this was the actual recipe that was served on-set in Yoda’s house (any leads would be amazing!), we’ll have to make do. The recipe originates with the 1983 adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back made by National Public Radio, who solicited gourmet chef Craig Claiborne to come up with something to approximate Yoda’s ‘rootleaf’ stew of the film.

The finished product might look like something made out of swamp-sourced ingredients, but it tastes very much like a modern Indian dish!
Continue reading “Recipe: Yoda Stew”

Artifact ID: Sidi Gourd

One of the things that made the Mos Espa scenes in Episodes I and II feel so real (aside from, y’know, shooting on location with real sets and minimal ‘digital backlot’) was its use of background detail—things like market stalls selling produce. These are really only featured in secondary materials, but they’re still fascinating. I always thought it would be very cool—if I lived somewhere with an appropriate environment and had an appropriate venue—to do an interpretive display of Tatooine foodstuffs. Something like this:
ME_stall1 Continue reading “Artifact ID: Sidi Gourd”