In 1898, Encarnación Pinedo published a cookbook, written in Spanish, and compiled from recipes she had gathered throughout her life in the San Jose area. It was the first cookbook published in the United States written by a Latina, and it represented the California Rancho culture she grew up in and inherited from her Berryessa ancestors. It is not just a cookbook but a historical document, a record made during the transition of California from the Rancho period through the Gold Rush and beyond. Further, it was written from the point-of-view of a woman in a format that society allowed women to do at that time. Tracy Johnston, an avid foodie and long-time food blogger, translated Miss Pinedo’s work and has redacted some of its recipes. Her talk shares the adventures she had during this journey and highlights the questions and mysteries that remain.