Pennsylvania Dutch cooking does not seem to capture the food lover’s imagination the way barbecue, Southern, Cajun/Creole, Pacific Northwest or other American cooking styles do.

Indeed, this delicacy has been a staple in Dutch cuisine for centuries, dating back to the 1300s, when advancements in curing techniques changed the way fish dishes were prepared and enjoyed.

Well, so much for tradition. At the same time, Weaver has taken seriously his mission to rediscover the foods of his ancestors, interviewing hundreds of people over 30 years.

This is a periodic column that explores the ethnic diversity of South Florida cooking. When Lauren Fabian moved to Fort Lauderdale from South Africa in 1991, she took her native fare for granted.

The Pennsylvania Dutch didn't invent the whoopie pie and other dubious tourist fare. Instead, they developed a complex, largely unknown cuisine that reflects the pressures and possibilities of ...