The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture

SOFKEY.

Sofkey (sofke), derived from the Creek word safke or osafke, is a sour corn drink or soup enjoyed by Native tribes who once lived primarily in the southeastern United States. Today, these tribes include the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek or Muscogee, and Seminole who reside primarily in Oklahoma, as well as the Alabama and Koasati, who live mainly in Louisiana and Texas but also in Okfuskee and Hughes counties in Oklahoma. For most North American tribes corn soup is a common food, but it can vary greatly in its ingredients and preparation. The Southeastern sofkey is as different from northeastern corn soup as German cooking is from French.

Sofkey is made by cooking white cracked corn in a large amount of water that also contains lye made from wood ash. No other seasoning is used except among the Koasati, who prepare the corn in salted water rather than lye ash. The mixture is cooked over moderate heat for three to four hours.

The soup is eaten both hot and cold, using either a spoon or cup depending on the consistency, which can vary from a thin gruel to a watery porridge. Sofkey tends to be sour and frequently is considered to be an acquired taste. It is served in most any setting where food is shared, such as in homes and at various community gatherings.

Pamela S. Wallace