The Archaeology of Leftovers Food

Open any American refrigerator and you’re not looking at leftovers—you’re looking at culinary stratigraphy, layers of edible history waiting to be excavated. The takeout container from three nights ago? That’s Layer C-3: The Thai Food Horizon. The foil-wrapped parcel behind the milk? Layer M-7: Mystery Meat Formation. The half-empty jar of salsa? Artifact J-12: Condiment Culture, circa Last Tuesday….