Ducks are once again becoming popular as livestock, especially on the small scale for homesteaders, but we’re also starting to see a lot of interest in them as pets. It might seem strange, but they have a lot to offer: ducks are intelligent, friendly, playful, and tend to be quite healthy. You’ll see plenty of ... Read more
Keeping Ducks as Pets: What You Need to Know can be read in full at New Life On A Homestead- Be sure to check it out!
Can’t grow potatoes? Buy freeze-dried or dehydrated. If you’ve ever wanted to stock your pantry with one of the most versatile and nutritious foods on the planet but simply don’t have the space, time, or growing conditions to raise your own, you’re not alone. Millions of families find themselves in exactly the same situation. The good news is that you don’t need a garden, a farm, or even a backyard to enjoy the incredible benefits of potatoes. Freeze-dried and dehydrated potatoes make it possible for anyone to keep this powerhouse food on hand for everyday cooking and long-term emergency storage. Potato Peelers
Before we talk about the best ways to store potatoes without growing them, it helps to understand just how valuable this humble vegetable really is. Potatoes have been feeding families around the world for thousands of years, and for good reason.
A single medium potato contains a remarkable collection of nutrients. You get a solid dose of vitamin C, which supports your immune system and helps your body absorb iron. Potatoes are also rich in potassium, a mineral that most Americans don’t get enough of and that plays a key role in heart health and healthy blood pressure. They provide vitamin B6, which supports brain development and helps your body make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine. They even contain folate, magnesium, and a range of antioxidants.
Potatoes are also one of the most satisfying foods you can eat. They contain a type of fiber called resistant starch, especially when cooked and cooled, that feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut and helps you feel full longer. For families trying to stretch a food budget without sacrificing nutrition, potatoes are one of the best tools available. They’re naturally gluten-free, making them a safe staple for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Perhaps most importantly, potatoes are endlessly adaptable. Soups, stews, casseroles, side dishes, breakfast hashes, and even some baked goods all welcome potatoes with open arms. When you have potatoes in the pantry, you always have the foundation for a satisfying meal. How To Make Donuts.
Growing potatoes sounds straightforward enough. You plant seed potatoes, water them, and eventually you dig up a harvest. In practice, though, it isn’t always that simple.
Potatoes need well-draining, loose soil that is free from diseases like blight and scab. They require a consistent water supply, plenty of sunlight, and enough space for the plants to spread out underground. They’re also susceptible to a long list of pests, from Colorado potato beetles to wireworms, that can devastate a crop. For gardeners dealing with clay-heavy soil, limited outdoor space, drought, or short growing seasons, producing enough potatoes to meet your meal prep needs can feel like an uphill battle.
If you live in an apartment, a townhouse, or a home without usable garden space, growing potatoes may simply not be an option at all. And even for those who do garden, potatoes take up a lot of real estate relative to other vegetables and require specific storage conditions after harvest to keep them from sprouting or rotting.
The encouraging truth is that not growing your own potatoes doesn’t mean you have to go without them. The freeze-dried and dehydrated food industry has made it easier than ever to keep a substantial supply of potatoes on hand without ever touching a shovel.
Freeze-drying is a preservation process that removes nearly all the moisture from food while keeping the cellular structure largely intact. The food is first frozen solid, then placed in a vacuum chamber, where the ice sublimates directly to vapor without passing through the liquid phase. The result is a lightweight product that retains an impressive amount of its original nutrition, flavor, and texture.
Freeze-dried potatoes can be stored for an exceptionally long time, often 25 years or more, when kept in proper conditions, meaning a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. When you’re ready to use them, simply add water and let them rehydrate. Many freeze-dried potato products rehydrate so well that they’re nearly indistinguishable from freshly cooked potatoes in dishes like mashed potatoes, soups, and stews.
The main trade-off with freeze-dried potatoes is cost. The process is energy-intensive and requires specialized equipment, so freeze-dried products tend to be more expensive than dehydrated alternatives. However, given their extraordinary shelf life and the convenience they offer, many families find the investment worthwhile, particularly when building a long-term food storage supply. Check out the ingredients before you buy any long-term food storage. It’s sad Thrive Life has closed; they had the best food on the market.
Dehydrated potatoes are made through a different process. Heat and airflow are used to draw moisture out of the potato over several hours. You have almost certainly encountered dehydrated potatoes without realizing it. Instant mashed potato flakes and slices found in grocery stores across the country are forms of dehydrated potatoes.
Dehydrated potatoes are more affordable than freeze-dried potatoes and still offer a respectable shelf life, typically 5 to 10 years when stored properly in sealed containers. They’re widely available and come in a variety of forms, including slices, dices, shreds, and flakes. Each form lends itself to different kinds of cooking. Augason Farms cans say 25 years under favorable conditions. I personally question the 25 years, but I have about 20 cans on my shelves and will use them before the 15-year mark. Augason Farm Dehydrated Sliced Potatoes. This product is potato slices with freshness preserved using sodium bisulfite.
Potato flakes, for example, are perfect for quick mashed potatoes and can also be used as a thickener in soups, a coating for meats, or an ingredient in bread and rolls. Slices and dices work well in casseroles and soups. Shreds are ideal for hash browns, potato pancakes, and breakfast dishes.
The nutritional profile of dehydrated potatoes remains solid, though some heat-sensitive nutrients, such as vitamin C, are reduced during processing compared with fresh or freeze-dried potatoes. They remain a good source of potassium, B vitamins, and fiber.
Both options have a real and important place in a well-rounded food storage plan. Here’s a simple way to think about the difference.
If your priority is maximum shelf life and the closest thing to fresh-tasting results, freeze-dried potatoes are worth the higher price. They are particularly valuable for long-term emergency preparedness, camping trips, and situations where access to fresh produce may be limited for extended periods.
If you’re focused on everyday use, building up a practical pantry on a budget, or getting started with food storage for the first time, dehydrated potatoes offer excellent value. Many families keep both on hand, using dehydrated products regularly in weekly cooking and reserving freeze-dried supplies for longer-term storage.
When shopping, look for products from reputable brands that use quality potatoes and minimal additives. Check sodium content, particularly on products that come pre-seasoned. Reading labels carefully ensures that what you’re buying aligns with your family’s nutritional needs. Emergency Essentials® Freeze-Dried Hash Browns (the can says “dehydrated” on Amazon, just giving you a heads-up).
Several well-known companies specialize in freeze-dried and dehydrated foods and have built strong reputations for quality and reliability. Augason Farms, Mountain House, and Wise Company are among the most widely recognized names in the long-term food storage space. Many of these brands offer potato products in bulk quantities, which can significantly reduce the per-serving cost. You can find their products online, at warehouse stores, and at emergency preparedness retailers.
For everyday dehydrated potato options, mainstream grocery brands and bulk food suppliers like Bob’s Red Mill also carry quality products that work well in your daily cooking.
One of the most common misconceptions about freeze-dried and dehydrated potatoes is that they’re only useful in emergencies. In reality, they’re a genuinely practical ingredient for busy families who cook regularly.
Potato flakes can be whipped up in minutes for a weeknight side dish. A handful stirred into soup adds body and thickness without any extra effort. Dehydrated potato slices can go straight into a slow cooker with broth and seasonings for a hearty meal that practically makes itself. Freeze-dried potato dices rehydrate quickly and can be added to scrambled eggs, frittatas, and breakfast burritos.
Keeping a well-stocked supply of these products means you always have the ingredients for a satisfying, nutritious meal, even when your refrigerator is running low on other food items, or a trip to the grocery store isn’t in the cards. Cheesy Potatoes aka Funeral Potatoes
Getting the most out of freeze-dried and dehydrated potatoes comes down to proper storage. Both products do best in cool, dry, dark conditions. Avoid storing them near heat sources such as ovens or water heaters, or in areas that experience significant temperature swings, such as garages or attics.
Oxygen and moisture are the main enemies of long-term food storage. Most high-quality freeze-dried and dehydrated products come in sealed cans or Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers already included to address oxygen exposure. Once opened, transfer any unused portions to airtight containers, use them within a few months for the best quality, and reduce the risk of oxygen and moisture issues.
Labeling your containers with the purchase date and the “best by” date makes rotation simple. The goal is always to use the oldest products first, so nothing goes to waste.
Not being able to grow your own potatoes isn’t a gap in your preparedness or a shortfall in your family’s food security. It’s simply a reality that calls for a practical solution, and freeze-dried and dehydrated potatoes are exactly that. They give you access to one of the world’s most important foods in a form that is shelf-stable, convenient, affordable over time, and genuinely useful in everyday cooking.
Whether you’re building a three-month food supply, stocking a cabin pantry, or simply trying to make sure your family always has the foundation for a good meal, freeze-dried and dehydrated potatoes deserve a place in your home. They’re proof that you don’t have to grow your food to be prepared, nourished, and ready for whatever comes your way. As you know, I’m always promoting the idea that families should try to grow some of their own food. It teaches kids where the food products we eat come from, and they learn that with some planning and work, you can have fun and grow what we enjoy eating every day. But, for some families, that isn’t an option, for several reasons.
You don’t need a garden to feed your family well. Freeze-dried and dehydrated potatoes put one of the most nutritious and versatile foods in the world right on your pantry shelf, ready whenever you need it. Whether you’re building a long-term food supply or simply making sure a good meal is always within reach, this is one of the smartest and most practical investments a family can make. May God bless this world, Linda
The post Can’t Grow Potatoes? Buy Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
You’ve probably read quite a few articles over the past year that list how much water and food you should have in your emergency pantry. Now it’s time to think about the other items that are essential to survival.
Of course, the type of emergency, where you live, and the time of year will factor into the supplies you need. But we’ve put together a list of non-food items you should consider gathering as part of your emergency preparations.
1. Air Pump – You can use a hand-held pump to pump up your vehicle’s tires, rafts, or flotation devices.
2. Ax – In the right hands, a quality ax or hatchet can do much more than just chop wood. (If you don’t believe me, read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.)
3. B.B. Gun, Pellet Gun, Slingshot – These weapons are useful for hunting small game and for self-defense.
4. Baby Supplies – Plan for baby’s needs both for now and down the road.
5. Baking Soda – You can use baking soda as toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo, and to treat irritated skin. And that’s just the start of a long list.
6. Bandanas – These inexpensive items can serve as facemasks, compresses, cool-down cloths, and other things.
7. Batteries – Make sure you have spare batteries for things like radios and flashlights.
8. Bike – You may need a bike for transportation, and the more rugged terrain it can handle, the better.
9. Binoculars – You can use binoculars like these to watch the sky for weather changes, to look for rescuers, or to help find people or animals that are lost.
10. Blade Sharpener – Keep your knives and other tools in shape with a blade sharpener.
11. Blankets – Keep extra warm blankets at home and in your car.
12. Bolt Cutters – Sometimes, desperate times call for desperate measures, and bolt cutters might become a necessity. .
13. Buckets and Lids – Five-gallon buckets are useful for storing and carrying food, water, and other supplies.
14. Cash – During a grid failure, debit and credit cards may not work. Keep a supply of cash on hand for emergencies.
15. Cast-Iron Pan – You can use a cast iron pan on the stove, in the oven, or over a campfire. This one is even pre-seasoned.
16. Charcoal and Lighter Fluid – You can start an outdoor cooking fire easily with these items.
17. Chlorine Bleach – Unscented bleach can help you sanitize dishes and cooking gear with minimal water.
18. Compass – Your phone’s navigation tools won’t help in some emergency situations, but a compass will always be fully charged and ready to go.
19. Contact Information – A written list of phone numbers, addresses, and other contact information of friends and family members is handy if your phone won’t work.
20. Crowbar – A good old-fashioned crowbar and some elbow grease can get you out of a lot of jams.
21. Dental Floss – Small and easy to carry, floss can be used for fishing lines, thread, traps, snares, and many other survival purposes.
22. Duct Tape – You can read entire articles on the many survival uses for duct tape. It’s inexpensive, versatile, and long-lasting.
23. Dust Mask – All the face masks we were wearing during the pandemic could be useful in another emergency.
24. Eating and Cooking Utensils – Portable, reusable utensils — like the infamous spork — are important to a survival toolkit. This one even has a bottle opener.
25. Emergency Candles – You often can find inexpensive emergency candles at yard sales and thrift stores.
26. Extra Socks – Clean, warm, dry socks are critical for health and comfort.
27. Family Photos – These treasured keepsakes can keep you focused on what’s important.
28. Ferro Rod – You can use these to light a fire in just about any condition.
29. Fire Extinguisher – It’s a good idea to have several fire extinguishers at home and one in each of your vehicles.
30. Fire Laces – These reusable flint and steel shoelaces will help you start a fire.
31. First Aid Kit – Keep a well-stocked kit at home and in your car. Here’s a list from the Red Cross.
32. Fishing Line and Tackle – Fish is a valuable food source. Make sure you have the supplies you need ready.
33. Fixed-Blade Knife – In addition to a multitool's blade, you’ll want one or more quality fixed blade knives.
34. Flares – If you need help at home or on the road, flares can be a lifesaver.
35. Flashlights and Batteries – Everyone in your family should have their own flashlight, and make sure you have plenty of batteries for them as well.
36. Games, Puzzles – You’ll want to save your phone battery power for communication and news updates, so think old-school when to comes to entertainment.
37. Gasoline – Gas stations are likely to be closed in a disaster. Keep your gas tanks full and store an extra supply for emergencies.
38. Goggles – Goggles can offer eye protection when there is debris in the air.
39. Hand Warmer Packets – These single-use packs will warm hands and feet when you are cold.
40. Hand-Cranked Can Opener – You’ve got a lot of canned food in that pantry. Don’t rely on an electric opener, or you could be out of luck in a power outage.
41. Hand-Cranked Radio – With one of these devices, you can get news and weather updates even when the power and internet are down.
42. Hats, Gloves – We don’t know when an emergency will strike, so be sure you have winter gear ready.
43. Headlamps – If you need to travel by foot after dark or just need hands-free lighting to perform a task, headlamps do the job.
44. Heat Source – If you don’t have a fireplace or woodstove, you’ll want to invest in a portable propane or kerosene heater as a heat source. This Mr. Heater is suitable for indoor use.
45. Hygiene Products – Don’t forget oral care when you stock up on health items.
46. Jumper Cables – If you’re using your car to stay warm or run electronics, you may end up with a dead battery. Make sure you have jumper cables to jump your vehicle or someone else’s.
47. Lighters, Waterproof Matches – Starting a fire without these items can be done. However, why waste your time and energy if you don’t have to?
48. Machete – If you have to find your way in the wilderness, this tool is excellent for cutting branches and vines.
49. Maps – Google Maps is great, but what about when the power is out and your phone is low on charge? Paper maps of your area can come to the rescue.
50. Medications – Stock up on standard over-the-counter medicines as well as your prescriptions.
51. Multitool – A quality multi-tool is a must-have. We like this powerhouse tool from Leatherman.
52. Oil – Motor oil is useful for your vehicles and machinery, and you can use it to start a fire if need be.
53. Paper and Pens – You’ll need these for lists, messages, diaries, and doodles.
54. Paracord – You’ll find lots of uses for this emergency staple.
55. Pepper Spray or Bear Spray – You can use these portable self-defense sprays to ward off animal or human predators.
56. Personal Identification Papers – Keep copies of essential records and documents on hand in a safe, waterproof, and fireproof place.
57. Pet Food and Supplies – Think about how you will feed and transport your pets, if necessary.
58. Phone Chargers – Have you seen these emergency phone chargers that come in three-packs?
59. Playing Cards – There’s a good chance you’ll have time on your hands during an emergency. A deck of cards can keep your mind occupied.
60. Portable Camping Stove – We like this classic Coleman suitcase stove.
61. Propane – Many camping stoves use propane, so make sure you have a supply of this fuel safely stored.
62. Radios – A ham, shortwave, or C.B. radio can provide a vital communication link when other methods fail.
63. Rain Barrel – Collect rainwater to keep your water supply up.
64. Rain Gear – It’s a good idea to stock up on inexpensive ponchos for every member of your family.
65. Rechargeable Batteries – You’ll need these for your electronics, radios, and lanterns.
66. Rubbing Alcohol – This inexpensive staple works well as a wound disinfectant.
67. Saw – Storms that cause emergencies tend to bring down trees and tree limbs. You’ll find many uses for a quality saw in a disaster.
68. Scissors – You probably have a pair, but are they in good repair, and are they sharp?
69. Seeds – After your food supply starts to dwindle, what then? You can grow your own fruits and vegetables if you have a selection of seeds stored. (Be sure to rotate seeds for freshness.)
70. Self-Defense Weapon and Ammo – You also can add martial arts and self-defense tactics to this item.
71. Sewing Kit – Whether it’s fixing a backpack strap, hemming a torn cuff, or sewing a deep cut in an emergency, needle and thread can come in very handy.
72. Shovel – You’ll need one to dig a firepit, free a stuck vehicle, break up ice, and plant a garden.
73. Signal Mirror – You can use a mirror to reflect sunlight to alert potential rescuers who are on the ground or in the sky.
74. Sillcock Key – This tool allows you to open water valves that don’t have standard handles.
75. Sleeping Bag – Store one for each person in the family. Choose the best temperature rating for your climate zone.
76. Sleeping Mask and Earplugs – When things get tough, sleeping gets tougher. These items can help you block out the lights and noise to get the rest you need.
77. Solar Battery Lantern – Lanterns like this one are good for 360-degree lighting when the power is out, or you are in a tent.
78. Solar Chargers – When the grid is down, you can harness the sun’s power with solar chargers like this portable one.
79. Space Blanket – Lightweight and packable, these mylar blankets help you maintain 90% of your body heat.
80. Sturdy Boots – Having the proper footwear may be one of the most under-rated aspects of survival gear.
81. Sunscreen – You’ll also need sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful rays.
82. Survival Backpack – We’ve often written about what to pack in a bug-out bag. You also need a quality backpack in which to place your on-the-go supplies.
83. Survival Books – Pocket guides and full reference books can help you handle the unexpected. This article gives tips and suggestions for building a survival library.
84. Survival Hammock – You may think of a hammock as something to relax in, but sleeping off the ground is much more comfortable.
85. Survival Mask – Check out this selection of survival gas masks.
86. TACT Bivvy – Here’s an emergency kit that comes with a lightweight sleeping bag, carabiner, survival whistle, and paracord tinder.
87. Tarp – Plastic and fabric tarps are useful as ground cover, for building an emergency shelter, and many other things.
88. Tent – A quality tent provides emergency shelter in the wilderness.
89. Tinder – Store tinder for building fires during an emergency. (Hint: dryer lint is a good one!)
90. Tire Repair Kit – Can you fix a flat fast if you have to? Make sure your spare tires are in good shape, and stock up on Fix-A-Flat.
91. Toilet Paper and Toilet Paper Tablets – Yes, store some actual toilet paper, but you don’t need to clear the store shelves. These tablets are another idea.
92. Traps and Snares – Here is a design that’s easy to set up and catches small birds.
93. Trash Bags – Large trash bags are suitable for their intended purpose, but they also work well as ground covers, tarps, makeshift ponchos, and other things.
94. Walkie-Talkies – Use these two-way radios to stay in touch with friends and family who are up to 16 miles away.
95. Water Filter and Purification Tablets – The personal-sized Lifestraw can filter up to 1,000 gallons of contaminated water. These tablets disinfect water, making it more suitable for drinking and cooking.
96. Whistle – A survival whistle is small and lightweight, but it can be a powerful way to alert others of your location when you need help.
97. Wipes and Hand Sanitizer – These items are helpful for on-the-go clean-ups and whenever water is scarce.
98. Written Plan – Think and plan ahead and talk with your family about what you will do and where you will go if disaster strikes. Make sure everyone knows where your supplies are located and how to use them.
99. Zip Ties – Makeshift handles and fastening gear into your backpack are just two of the ways zip ties come in handy.
100. Zippered Plastic Bags – You can use them to hold and protect kindling, nails, snacks, you name it. Make sure you have some in several sizes.
There's one more thing you'll need in a disaster: common sense. The past year has shown us in dramatic ways that none of us is immune to disaster.
The good news is that planning ahead can offer you valuable peace of mind that you are doing your best to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.
Originally published on Urban Survival Site.
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The post 100 Non-Food Items You Should Stockpile appeared first on Homestead Survival Site.
If you’ve been prepping food for long-term storage, you’ve probably seen mylar bags recommended everywhere. They’re the default answer on forums, YouTube channels, and prepper blogs. And for a lot of foods, they work fine. But when it comes to dry pasta specifically, there’s a better option that most people overlook. This isn’t about being […]
The post Why You Should Store Dry Pasta in PVC Pipes, Not Mylar Bags appeared first on Ask a Prepper.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
The Great Depression brought out both the resiliency and ingenuity of literally millions of people. With few options, people had to make do with what was on hand. Clothes were sewn with spare flour sacks and shoes repaired with cardboard.
Food, however, is where things got really interesting. Some foods were still plentiful and reasonably affordable, but others were scarce. How do you make a full meal when half your ingredients are missing?
You improvise and invent a whole host of crazy foods in the process. Here are some strange meals people ate during the Great Depression—meals we might all be eating again someday. (Most of the list items include a link to the recipe in case you want to try it.)
Cabbage and dumplings together may not sound like the most pleasant meal to eat, but it was dirt simple and cheap to make. All you’ll need to make this meal is fried cabbage and dumplings (as the name suggests), but to add extra flavor, you can add onions and/or egg as well.
→ Cabbage and Dumplings Recipe
Even when times are tough, there are two staples for breakfast you can always count on: coffee and toast. Have you ever thought about pouring your coffee with a little bit of cream into a bowl and then breaking up the toast into smaller pieces in the bowl as well to make a soup? You may wonder ‘why not just have the toast and the coffee separately?’ but the Amish swore by it.
So corned beef salad doesn't sound that bad…until you learn that it's made with mayonnaise and Jello. Well, gelatin anyway. It's a mixture of corned beef, eggs, mayonnaise, horseradish, and some vegetables, all held together in a loaf with plain gelatin. Yum…beef jello.
This is also known as sh*t on a shingle, which sums up the thoughts of those that had to eat it. In a nutshell, it's dried beef that's re-hydrated a bit in a sauce made with flour and butter, and then served on toast. All you need is some milk, butter, flour, dried beef, and some pepper and parsley.
Do you have beef, bread, milk, and cream cheese in the fridge and pantry? If so, you can make a very filling creamy beef fondue appetizer that doesn't require much work to make either. People struggling through the Great Depression didn't always skip appetizers, and often reserved this meal in particular for holidays and special events.
These days, the foodie movement has just about everyone open to eating foods foraged from your yard, but back then dandelion salad was just weird. They did it because it was a way to get free food onto the table, and a bit of added vitamins in an otherwise bland depression diet.
Not anything like the egg drop soup you can order in modern Chinese restaurants, this soup started with fried potatoes and then added water. The mixture was brought to a boil, and then scrambled eggs were stirred in while the water was boiling. The whole thing was served over toast. I'm not sure why they didn't just have eggs, potatoes, and toast, but perhaps the spirit of creativity took hold.
This particular dish was considered the ultimate treat for the holidays. There are many variations of this salad, but all have the same basic feel. Start with canned fruit and add whipped cream, eggs, flour, and any manner of other things (marshmallows, nuts, or whatever is available). Freeze the whole thing in trays and then serve.
‘Mashups’ were what people ate when they had to put together whatever they had in the pantry. The Garbage Mashup is one such example. All you’ll need is a bit of round beef, some baked beans, home fries, and macaroni salad. Then you can add onions, chili, mustard, ketchup, and/or hot sauce for extra flavor.
During the Great Depression, many people couldn't afford meats like beef and chicken. So instead, bologna became a common staple. This casserole takes advantage of that by using bologna as the main ingredient. It might not sound that great, but by the time you add chili, cheddar, peppers, garlic, onions, and pork and beans, it becomes absolutely mouth-watering.
→ Great Depression Casserole Recipe
Named after the president that took office right before the crash, Hoover Stew was the name for the cheap slop eaten by residents of shanty towns. Recipes varied, but usually involved hot dogs, canned vegetables, and pasta or macaroni.
What do you do when you want a sandwich, but don't have any meat or cheese to put in it? Put some ketchup between slices of bread and call it good. Mayonnaise sandwiches were also common, and honestly sound a lot better than the last option, plain onion sandwiches.
→ Recipe: Put ketchup, mayonnaise, or onion between two slices of bread. Eat.
This one isn't very strange, but we included it because it was invented during the Great Depression. Kraft mac and cheese was advertised as an exercise in frugality. These days it's commonplace, and it's still a cheap way to put calories on the table, but back then a shelf-stable box with powdered cheese replaced a traditional homemade meal full of expensive ingredients like cheese and cream.
→ Just buy a box and follow the instructions.
These days, meatloaf is a simple and relatively cheap weeknight dinner. But how do you make it without ground beef? That's how it became just “loaf” and it was made out of just about anything put into a loaf pan. Cheap foods like liver, peanuts, and raisins found their way into this catch-all food.
Invented by scientists at Cornell University in 1933 when they were looking for inexpensive ways to feed the masses, it's a gruel made from dried powdered milk and cornmeal. Other variations like milkwheato (using wheat instead of corn) were also invented and were just as appetizing.
This stew was invented by the homeless. They would put a big pot over a campfire, and everyone would contribute whatever food they had on hand—-meat, potatoes, bread, onions, rice, tomatoes, and so forth. Sometimes they would even add lint or sawdust to make it more filling.
How do you make an apple pie without apples? It turns out there are a number of ways. One popular recipe involved stuffing a pie crust with Ritz and then covering them with cinnamon, butter, and sugar syrup. Other recipes substitute fruits or vegetables, like this mock apple pie made with zucchini.
Actually recommended by home economics teachers, peanut butter stuffed baked onions found its way onto tables during the Great Depression. Basically, you just bake an onion, then scoop part if it out, and replace with a scoop of peanut butter. You won't be surprised when I tell you it wasn't very popular.
A mixture of hot dogs and potatoes, poor man's meal was actually quite tasty. Potatoes were fried with onions until browned, and then chopped hot dogs were added. My grandmother made this for me as a child, and my mother had her own version, substituting kielbasa for the hot dogs, which made it much tastier.
Potatoes were one of the most widely available foods, and they found their way into many dishes. Simple potato pancakes are some of the more appetizing ways they were eaten. They were made either by frying mashed potatoes or by binding grated potatoes together with flour and eggs.
Actually served at the White House as an act of solidarity with “the people who are suffering” in the streets, prune pudding is a simple mix of boiled prunes, sugar, and cornstarch. Sometimes seasoned, sometimes not, prune pudding had to fill in for dessert. It was generally served in small dishes, to prevent disastrous prune related consequences.
These days you can find red velvet cake recipes on fancy food blogs, but back then it was a cheap way to make an “almost” chocolate cake. Substituting vegetable oil for real butter, and using almost no cocoa, what the cake lacked in flavor it made up for in color.
Eleanor Roosevelt herself recommended this dish for the frugal cook. It involved a casserole made out of intentionally overcooked mushy spaghetti and boiled carrots, covered in a pasty white sauce made from flour and butter.
Though mock apple pie was one option, other pie recipes tried to get a “fruit pie” feel by substituting the tartness of fruit with vinegar. The dessert was made with a pie crust filled with butter, flour, sugar, and vinegar. Sounds horrible to me, but I guess it can't be that weird, even Martha Stewart has a recipe.
Know of any other strange meals people ate during the Great Depression? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
Originally published on Homestead Survival Site.
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The post 25 Strange Meals People Ate During The Great Depression appeared first on Urban Survival Site.