The act of baking apple pies holds a deep, symbolic meaning, much like family photos and albums, which capture memories, moments, and identities. Just as a photo album preserves snapshots of our past, apple pie recipes serve as a metaphor for the preservation of family traditions and cultural heritage. Each ingredient, each slice of pie, carries a piece of home—a shared experience, a familiar taste, and a connection to those who have come before us.
In my family, we would slice the apple pie into portions, ensuring everyone had a piece, allowing each person to experience a moment of connection and belonging. Now, as I bake away from home, I realize that the act of sharing pie no longer follows the same recipe—it is no longer about simply sharing the taste of home, but about building new connections and creating a sense of community in a new place. It’s a reminder that, even in exile or migration, we carry with us the recipes and traditions that define us, adapting them to new circumstances and people, while still holding onto the essence of where we come from.
The apple pie, like a family photo, becomes a vessel for memory, identity, and belonging. It’s a way to preserve the taste of home, even as we navigate the complexities of displacement, conflict, and a world in flux. Through baking, we share more than food—we share our stories, our resilience, and our desire to remain connected, no matter where we are.