In the history of the world, on many events like global war or crisis people had to face a lot of hardships. From compromising on a lavish lifestyle to eating stale tasteless food due to economic depletion, our ancestors have been through it all. The Great Depression era lasted in the late 1930s due to economic collapse around the world. Due to this, the trading routes were closed causing a severe shortage of staple food and ingredients.
Many essential food items were scarcely available and people were forced to create innovative recipes from the substitutes to make ends meet. Many people created bizarre recipes that were tasteless and least palatable. However, there are few recipes made from delicious substitutes.
Let’s delve into ten delicious foods from the Great Depression Era:
10) The Potato Soup:
During the Depression Era, this exquisite meal transforms the simple staple ingredients into fine flavourful meals. The Potato Soup consists of the essential ingredients i-e potatoes which are one of the main ingredients. Another vital ingredient of the dish is onions which complement the taste of potato and aroma. To add perfect texture and delicacy, butter and milk are added to enhance richness and texture. This potato soup remains a testament to its timeless culinary simple yet delicious.
9) Bread and Butter Pickles:
The Great Depression Era was a period of hardships. But, one of the recipes of this era remains a hallmark of this era. As the situation was chaotic during the Depression Era, the farmers and horticulturists tried to invent new methods in times of necessity. They tried a new method of “pickling” on the leftover cucumbers. As the winters ended, the farmers were curious to use this method to transform the leftover cucumbers into pickles adding a tangy flavor. This invention and method was successful as the tangy taste enhanced the taste buds and people enjoyed it eagerly with bread and butter.
8) Egg Drop Soup:
The Egg Drop Soup is a unique staple of Chinese cuisine. It was used during the times of the Depression Era to overcome starvation. In Chinese tradition, the egg drop soup is served as a special and delicious delight but during the Great Depression Era, broth and eggs were used to recreate this recipe. This simple dish turned out to be a fulfilling dish for many people during desperate times.
7) Spaghetti with Carrots and White Sauce:
During the Great Depression Era, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt made a bold choice of incorporating Spaghetti with Carrots and White Sauce for a fulfilling meal during these desperate times. The dish was baked in casserole with overcooked spaghetti, slices of boiled carrots and a simple white or bechamel sauce. The bechamel sauce is made of flour, milk and butter that enhances the taste of the dish. This dish was loved by almost everyone during the Depression Era, now it has a modern-day revival. This dish can become even more delicious by adding crushed peppers or sriracha, adding additional vegetables and chicken for enhanced taste and a perfect meal satisfying the tastebuds.
6) Mock Apple Pie:
During the Great Depression Era, the scarcity of food and staple food was on the rise so culinary chefs and cooks tried inventing food from scratch. One of the dishes that was recreated was Mock Apple Pie or Crackers Pie. This clever recipe incorporated crackers like Ritz, cream of tartar, lemon zest, cinnamon and sugar. This combination tasted similar to apple pie due to its tangy and fruity taste. Moreover, the pie’s aroma and taste resembled a lot like Apple’s pie hence the name “Mock Apple Pie” is given to this invention of necessity during desperate times.
5) Prune Pudding:
During the Great Depression Era, the prunes became unsung heroes providing practical solutions for providing a scrumptious meal. Prunes have emerged as a popular choice used for staples in households which can be easily customized as a dessert or meal as per convenience. The prune pudding has been a testament during the desperate times. The dish is prepared by adding prunes, sugar, spices, flour and milk or cream. It is mixed and cooked till it thickens with desired consistency and baked until golden. This dessert reflects the resilience of Americans during desperate times, providing a flavourful dessert for a fulfilling meal.
4) Mystery Spice Cake:
The Great Depression Era remains a testament to the brave efforts made by the chefs and cooks to overcome the desperate times and challenges. During this time, many conventional methods were developed to create a delicious meal. Surprising ingredients were tested and incorporated to create meals like “Tomato Cake” or one the kind is “Mystery Spice Cake”. This delicacy created a flavourful meal for the people during desperate times.
This is usually curated by adding canned tomatoes, fat sources, eggs and butter. The acidity and flavour of tomatoes enhanced the taste buds creating a unique taste and texture. This culinary combination is still incorporated in the journals of Sylvia Plath, as she reveals her passion for baking a Tomato Soup Cake. This remains a testament to the Great Depression Era.
3) Hoover Stew:
The Hoover’s Stew was a recipe made or born out of necessity that became a favorite dish for one and all. This included mainly four ingredients macaroni, hot dogs, tomatoes and corn. This dish was customizable with any of the pasta types, different vegetables and meats with spices to enhance taste buds. This dish originated during desperate times but remains a resourceful and delicious meal as the acidity and tanginess of tomatoes add delicate flavor making a fulfilling meal during desperate times and crises.
2) Water Pie:
During the Great Depression Era, many home cooks created recipes incorporating combinations of ingredients to make a delightful meal. One of the kinds of desserts that was created was called “Desperation Pie”. This pie was a sweet and creamy pie made with astounding ingredients. This was usually made like a normal cake with the enhancement of vanilla essence. The starchy texture allows the water to create a smooth texture like custard. It remains a testament to the Great Depression Era and many people during the modern times like during the Covid crisis, have tried incorporating coffee, tea and other beverages to give it a unique taste and twist.
1) Wacky Cake:
It’s astounding to know that the Great Depression Era gave birth to many horrible and interesting recipes and meals to be made out of limited resources. One of a kind is “Wacky Cake”, also known as “Depression Cake” which is an eggless, butterless and milkless cake that was a delight for people during the Depression era. This cake was a revolutionary remark during the desperate times in which essential ingredients like butter, egg and milk were not used yet it tasted delicious.
The cake was baked by incorporating ingredients like flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, oil, water and salt. It was a quick and efficient way of cooking a meal in less time. It remains a testament to the Great Depression Era, that even delicious meals can be made with limited resources and scarcity.
