“Food must also be considered among the major recreations of Bahía,” says Vera Kelsey about Brazil’s most African influenced region where Yoruba culture from West Africa is clearly seen in the region's food. A trained sociologist, Kelsey (1891-1961) traveled extensively in South America in the 1940s and published several books on Brazil. Kelsey writes, “And here particularly are served the rich dishes imported long ago from Portugal’s cuisine, and many more of African origin” such as the Bahian fish gumbo called “carurú” made with okra, and African plant, peanuts, cashews, “dried shrimps, peppers, and other spices,” which is a “notable dish” in Kelsey’s words.
