Potatoes: prominent in peace and critical during wartime. Potatoes, whether baked or boiled, dehydrated or fried, have presented opportunities to American chefs for more than 200 years. American inventiveness created the potato chip, and what high-energy breakfast is complete without hash browns? Nearly 460 million pounds of potatoes reach American markets yearly, and Americans on average eat 49 pounds of potatoes per year. No controversial "hot potato" here: potatoes are good high energy foods!

 

HOW TO COOK A WOLF

One of the most interesting American books to emerge during World War II was M. F. K. Fisher's classic work, How To Cook a Wolf, (1942). Fisher provided numerous suggestions that ranged from how to cope with rationing, to the storage of food in bomb shelters. Her writing style was witty, and designed to "keep the wolf from the family door." Fisher was an important educator who taught careful food planning. Her social observations were also sharp

Potatoes are one of the last things to disappear in times of war . . . they should not be forgotten in times of peace.

One of the best endings to a supper is nothing at all. If the food has been simple, plentiful, and well prepared, if there has been time to eat it quietly, with a friend or two, then more often than not, most people will choose to leave it so, with perhaps only a little cup of coffee for their souls' sake.

Fisher is best known, however, for her famous War Cake Recipe, a dessert designed to help families getthrough the hard times...

1/2 cup shortening (bacon grease can be substituted)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon of other spices: cloves, ace, ginger
1 cup chopped raisins or other dried fruits such as prunes or figs
1 cup sugar, brown or white
1 cup water
2 cups flour, white or whole wheat
1/4 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
[8.1]

Did You Know?

HISTORY OF THE POTATO

White potatoes were domesticated in highland South America, exported to Spain, and appear in European books after 1553. Irish immigrants introduced the white potato to North America probably in 1719, but became field crops at Salem, Massachusetts, only after 1762. First American cookbook potato recipes date to 1857. [8:3]

FOOD IN AMERICAN INTERNMENT CAMPS:

At noon we have soup, rice, salad and perhaps beans. For dinner there is meat or fish, and cake, pie, or pudding... [When] I see the elderly meekly eating what is offered them... my eyes become warm.

CHICKEN, DEATH AND POTATOES

Sundays we always had chicken; not so much roast chicken, but boiled or fried in different ways. I remember once when some of my family died, people came for miles around and it was a custom to put baked potatoes in the coffin.

     Marie Haggerty [8:7]

VICTORY GARDENS AND RETURN TO THE LAND

Before World War II urban Americans had grown accustomed to soft, canned foods - the "modern" way to eat vegetables. The backyard Victory Gardens of World War II reminded Americans of the joys of eating produce —- fresh from their own garden. As a result, crisp, raw vegetables regained popularity. [8:4]