CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — You may have seen some national outlets proclaim that Great Depression-era food is making a comeback due to rising food prices. While some recipes are a little out there for the modern palette—like peanut butter-stuffed onions—some classic Appalachian foods fit right into a Depression-era budget.
Cornbread
Appalachia’s rain and sunshine means a delicious corn crop. While there are plenty of cornbread recipes out there, a depression-era recipe that doesn’t use flour, baking powder or sugar is making a comeback. Click here to get it from Sally’s Baking Recipes.
To make cornbread a little more of a meal, Depression-era cooks would sometimes add sausage links and maple syrup to make a “Sausage Johnnycake.” Click here for the recipe from Taste of Home.
Dandelions
According to Eat This, Not That!, dandelion salad became popular during the Depression era because one of its main ingredients is free, as long as you have dandelions growing in your front yard.
Passionately Raw! suggests using one large bunch of dandelion greens, a cucumber and green onion (or, for an extra West Virginia kick, you could use ramps in their place) for the salad as well as a Dijon mustard vinagrette. Click here for the recipe.
To use the flowers and really make it an Appalachian meal, try deep-frying the blossoms and putting them on top of the salad.
Green Tomato Pie
Green tomatoes are good for more than just frying. They can be pie filling, too. Just add some cider vinegar. Click here for the recipe from Taste of Home.
Stack Cake
Eggs are getting expensive, but this traditional Appalachian dessert recipe from Wood Shed only uses two. Your favorite local apple butter can also be used for the filling.
