How did enslaved Africans create food that incorporated preserved West African culture?

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.