Family Foods

Growing up we all had different foods. Some had homemade food, some had canned. We all hold memories for what we had. I know families that foraged and families that had little. This week’s blog was inspired by a video on Great depression/recession foods. This was a time when there was an economic downturn. Many goods were in short supply from about 1929 to 1939. Foods and supplies were rationed and people had to become thrifty and creative. My grandparents were born in the later part of that crisis. Having many people in your family makes you more thrifty. 

During this pandemic we have seen shortages in goods also so some of the old ration food have made a comeback. I have made a modified egg drop soup you learn to make what you can with what you can get. I recall being gifted zucchini. I made many wonderful things with very little. When my family was small I made a lot of vegetarian foods. We made dried bean dishes and fresh veggie dishes. We had to make a large block of cheese last all month, that is all we had money for. I would make stir fry with lots of fresh veggies. Toad in the hole was one that was enjoyed. That was bread, buttered on both sides with a hole cut in it. You would fry an egg in the hole of the bread. I remember using the cut piece as a crunchy dipping piece. As a kid my grandma would make me a poached egg and soldier sticks. That was toast cut in strips and you could dip it in the egg. My mom made fried egg sandwiches with ketchup. I loved that. I made something like this too for my family. I called them Mumwitches. They were made with a bagel and fried egg broken, then I would put the cheese on the egg in a hot pan and melt it. Sometimes I would put one slice of meat on  them. I also made muffins, with fruits, carrots or other ingredients. My partner jokes that I can make a gourmet meal with 3 items. I  roll my eyes at him and tell him that it is crazy I need spices!

My childhood had many foods, I was blessed with many good cooks. My grandma used to put me on the counter to watch her cook. Very talented woman, she cooked for 9 people every day. When I lived there we only had 3 at home. 

We had many soups and yummy homemade bread, fresh grown foods from our garden in growing times and the winter we enjoyed canned foods. 

Food seemed to be something very important in our lives. We made candies and baked goods. We had frozen fruits washed, cut and packed into zip bags.

When my family lived at home we cooked many homemade soups, we liked international foods. When we were chatting about the food they remember and enjoyed, they liked my squash and the carrot ginger soup

I remember going to my bigger family meals. There were so many of us. Grandma and grandpa had 7 kids. I think all of them had partners and 1 to 3 offspring. We worked together. In the summer we had many barbecues. My grandpa was known for his Rotisserie chickens. Grandpa had metal welded water dip trays for the bottom of the barbeque, it made things tender, keeping in the flavors and moisture and keeping them going slowly without burning. Family would bring side dishes to share. Special meals were made for the vegetarians in the family.

Food memories seem to fill that emotional place for many. In countries all over the world food family and rituals are what gets us through the hard times. Sometimes foods don’t bring fond memories. What foods bring back memories in your life. Have you made foods that have comfort to your families? Have a positive week filled with food and goodness!