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Recipes from the archive that share this tag, occasion, ingredient, or cultural root.
Back to recipe archiveThe Melting Pot
Corned Beef and Cabbage photo coming soon
1800-1860
Corned beef and cabbage is a staple Irish-American dish popularized in the United States during the early 19th century, especially among immigrant communities.
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Wojapi photo coming soon
1800-1860
Wojapi is a Native American berry sauce or jam commonly made from chokeberries or other wild berries, used as a condiment or dessert accompaniment. Its preparation and use reflect indigenous foodways and regional wild fruit harvesting in early 19th-century America.
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Ash Cakes photo coming soon
1776-1800
A plain cornmeal-and-water ash cake inspired by Revolutionary-era field cooking, adapted for a skillet or campfire with salt and a little fat for modern eatability.
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Boiled Potatoes photo coming soon
1800s-present
Boiled potatoes are a building-block recipe rather than a showpiece. They belong to everyday American tables because potatoes were affordable, filling, easy to store, and ready to serve plain or dress with butter, gravy, herbs, or pan drippings.
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Corn on the Cob photo coming soon
Cross-era
Corn on the cob is a simple, beloved summer side dish traditionally enjoyed at Fourth of July celebrations and backyard cookouts across the United States. Boiled or grilled fresh corn with butter and salt has long been a staple of American holiday tables.
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Coffee by the Gallon photo coming soon
1930-1945
Coffee by the gallon was a practical preparation method used in military mess halls during the Great Depression and World War II to provide troops with consistent coffee servings. Brewed strong and in massive batches, this coffee kept soldiers energized and connected through shared routine.
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Corn Dodgers photo coming soon
1861-1900
Corn dodgers are small, dense cakes made from cornmeal, historically used as portable food by cattle drivers and settlers in the Great Plains from 1861 to 1900.
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Cornmeal Mush photo coming soon
1800-1860
Cornmeal mush is a soft, cooked porridge made from cornmeal boiled in water or milk, often served sliced and fried or with syrup, common in Appalachian diets before and through the Civil War.
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Corn Tortillas photo coming soon
1800-1860
Corn tortillas are a fundamental staple of Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, made from nixtamalized corn masa. In the early 19th century, these tortillas were widely consumed in Spanish borderlands and Mexican-American communities, providing a versatile bread substitute.
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Cotton Candy photo coming soon
1900-1929
Cotton candy is a spun sugar candy synonymous with American state fairs and carnivals in the early 20th century. Known for its fluffy texture and bright colors, it was a novelty sweet made possible by mechanized candy-spinning machines introduced around 1900.
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Country Ham photo coming soon
1800-1860
Country ham is a dry-cured, aged ham typical of Southern United States foodways dating back to the early 19th century. It is preserved with salt and aging, resulting in a salty, flavorful meat served in traditional Southern meals.
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Egg Noodles photo coming soon
1930-1945
Egg noodles are thin, flat pasta made with flour and eggs, common in various American and immigrant cuisines. During the Depression and Dust Bowl, egg noodles were easy to prepare and adaptable to many meals, from soups to casseroles, featuring prominently in farm and wartime kitchens.
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Empanadas photo coming soon
1990-2009
Empanadas are baked or fried dough pockets filled with savory or sweet mixtures, widely enjoyed in Puerto Rican, Chamorro, Filipino-American, and Virgin Islands communities across US territories and suburbs. They serve as portable meals or snacks showcasing diverse immigrant culinary heritages.
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Flour Tortillas photo coming soon
1800-1860
Flour tortillas are a staple soft flatbread made from wheat flour, water, fat, and salt. Originating in the Spanish borderlands and Mexican-American traditions, they became widespread in the U.S. Southwest by the mid-19th century, essential for wraps, tacos, and sandwiches.
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Blue Corn Mush photo coming soon
Pre-1776-present
Blue corn mush is a Din? and Southwestern Indigenous staple made from roasted blue cornmeal, water, and juniper ash. The ash is not a gimmick: it contributes minerals and helps unlock nutrients in the corn.
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Bean Porridge photo coming soon
1776-1800
Bean porridge sits close to the everyday cooking of early America: beans or peas, water, a little meat when available, and meal to thicken the pot. It was plain food, but practical food, made in a kettle and stretched for households that needed warmth, calories, and thrift more than ceremony.
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Mock Whipped Cream photo coming soon
1930-1945
Mock Whipped Cream is an inventive, non-dairy topping created during the Great Depression and World War II era when cream was scarce or rationed. This economical recipe uses gelatin, milk, and sugar to simulate whipped cream's light texture and sweetness. It illustrates American homefront adaptations to food shortages, fitting within the context of victory gardens, rationing, and wartime ingenuity in domestic cooking.
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Mozzarella Sticks photo coming soon
1990-2009
Mozzarella Sticks are battered, breaded, and deep-fried sticks of mozzarella cheese, served hot and commonly accompanied by marinara sauce. This popular snack emerged in American family restaurants and casual dining during the 1990s and 2000s, fitting into game day and party food categories favored across suburban and urban settings.
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Shrub photo coming soon
1776-1800
Shrub is a vinegar-based syrup mixed with fruit juice or water to create a refreshing beverage. It was popular in Revolutionary-era America as a preserved fruit drink and early cocktail mixer.
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Small Beer photo coming soon
1776-1800
Small Beer is a historical low-alcohol beer brewed in Colonial America, commonly consumed daily as a hydrating alternative to water. Its mild strength and nutritional value made it a household staple in the Revolutionary era.
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Sun Tea photo coming soon
1946-1969
Sun Tea is an informal iced tea prepared by steeping tea bags in water warmed by sunlight, popularized during America's postwar suburban era as a refreshing outdoor beverage. This method requires minimal equipment and is a staple of backyard gatherings.
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Switchel photo coming soon
1776-1800
Switchel, also known as haymaker's punch, is a traditional American fermented drink of water, vinegar, ginger, and sweeteners dating to the Revolutionary period. It was commonly consumed for refreshment and hydration during hard labor and social occasions.
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Water Pie photo coming soon
1930-1945
Water Pie is a simple custard-style dessert made with water, sugar, flour, and butter, popular during the Great Depression when ingredients were scarce. This pie exemplifies the resourcefulness and creativity of American cooks who made satisfying sweets with minimal pantry staples during economic hardship.