There are many influences of West African culture in African American cuisine.
For example, the use of rice, because many types of rice were first domesticated and cultivated in Africa. In fact, some of the first African slaves were brought to America in order to work in rice plantations.
The use of peppers, the level of heat applied to the foods, and also the use of Sorghum, are also important West African influences in African American cuisine.
French and Dutch colonization in the Americans focused on the profitable fur trade. Depending on Native Americans to hunt animals for their pelts, French and Dutch colonizers cultivated friendly relationships with Native Americans through intermarriage and military alliances.
