An epic tale of the pastry woven into America's timeline - German soldiers blowing up donut trucks, frying donuts in whale oil, the first women allowed on the front lines in U.S. history, and maybe even an answer to the question: can the donut yet again unite our country?  

In the spirit of July 4th, this is a story from the Korean War- where U.S. Marines surmounted unbelievable odds and the coldest winter in Korean history with only their wits, and thousands of unwanted tootsie rolls.

HomeCooked is a series where we ask people the same question: What food reminds you of home?

Director, author, and activist Michael Moore is from Flint, MI. Having good memories of the food there is tough when you can't even drink the water.

To get involved with Michael's efforts in Flint, visit http://michaelmoore.com/DontSendBottledWater/

In the heart of coal country, West Virginia - a young Navy veteran and his family are responding to food shortages and economic hardships in exceptionally creative ways. Their town of McDowell has made national headlines for its poverty, unemployment, opioid crisis, and has recently been dubbed "Trump Country." These headlines miss the real story- one that could change the narrative in countless rural towns across the country.

Escape from the Nazis, cosmically good pastrami, and how an iconic Philadelphia Deli came to be.

Concentration camps, bribing the Gestapo, racist spice companies, and Baltimore crabs: The story of one refugee's journey and the creation of an American food icon.

On HomeCooked, we ask strangers the same question: What food reminds you of home?

This week, legendary actor Edward James Olmos of Battlestar Galactica, American Me, Stand and Deliver, Blade Runner, and so many more. So say we all.

Music for this episode is performed by Joe Broom. Link to the Anthony Quinn Foundation - www.aqfoundation.org/

A trip to the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, where Syrian refugee families are becoming part of American society. Known for having one of the largest Syrian populations in America, Allentown and the Lehigh Valley make the most authentic, mouth-watering Syrian food you'll find. This also makes it a perfect refuge for Syrians fleeing a brutal civil war. But even in the Lehigh Valley, the fear of refugees is all too present.

There is a restaurant in the barren New Mexican desert where one man is cooking his way through the light and darkness of life. We sit down for an intimate meal with Chef Julian Sibony at his home and restaurant, Arioso.

We ask strangers on the street, "What food reminds you of home?" This episode- Kay.

If you have a story about a food that reminds you of home- leave it in a review on iTunes or contact us at www.hungryradio.org.