Rediscovering Culinary Treasures: Exploring 1870s Recipes in Post-Civil War America Reconstruction Era.

Recipes from Healing of the Heart, Book Four, Discerning God’s Best Series.

In the years following the Civil War, America underwent a period of immense change and reconstruction. Alongside the rebuilding of cities and communities, there was a resurgence of creativity and innovation, even in the kitchen. Despite the challenges of the Reconstruction Era, people found ways to create delicious dishes using simple ingredients and traditional methods.

Let’s journey back to the 1870s and enjoy a few recipes in Post-Civil War America that offer a glimpse into culinary life during this transformative period.

Creative Baking During Post-Civil War Reconstruction

If you’ve read the Discerning God’s Best Series, you’ll likely remember Rachel, who is a disaster in the kitchen; Singing Bird, who creates healthy foods from the earth; and Aideen, whose Irish upbringing brought new flavors to Shumard Oak Bend. In Healing of the Heart, you’ll meet Harriet, who knows how to stretch a dime and swap an ingredient creating heartwarming morsels.

Harriet’s pie crust has a special ingredient—a dash of vinegar. Thomas, our main character, writes home about this baking secret, but his mother, Rachel, still messes up the dough. Apparently, her dash differs from Harriet’s.

Vinegar Pie Crust: A Taste of Ingenuity

Pie has long been a staple of American cuisine, and in the 1870s, resourcefulness was key. With ingredients often scarce or rationed, cooks had to rely on their creativity to craft delicious desserts. One such creation was the Vinegar Pie Crust, a testament to the ingenuity of the era.

Inspired by a recipe from Le Creme de la Crumb, the pie crust in Healing of the Heart stands out for its unique use of vinegar, which adds both flavor and tenderness to the pastry. In a time when Americans had limited access to fresh ingredients, vinegar provided an acidic tang that complemented sweet fillings perfectly. Whether filled with fruit, custard, or even savory ingredients, this pie crust was a versatile and thrifty choice for home cooks.

Zucchini…in Pie? Absolutely!

In the 1870s, adventurous cooks sought innovative ways to stretch their meager ingredients further. Enter the Zucchini Mock Apple Pie, a curious creation that defied expectations and delighted taste buds. Adapted from a recipe found on Food.com, the pie in our story reimagines the classic apple filling with a surprising substitute: zucchini.

Thomas is amazed when he discovers Harriet’s innovative incorporation of a vegetable into a summer pie recipe. As Thomas indulged in Harriet’s tangy pear pie, Douglass enlightens him with his wife’s ability to transform a zucchini into a delightful dessert. Such culinary ingenuity truly shines when faced with an excess of squash, prompting one to explore creative avenues. I’ve had this pie and could not detect the filling wasn’t apples until my neighbor shared her secret.

Zucchini Mock Apple Pie: A Surprising Twist on Tradition

While zucchini might seem like an unconventional choice for a pie filling, its mild flavor and tender texture make it an ideal stand-in for apples. Combined with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom (yes, they had access to this spice in 1870), the zucchini transforms into a delicious filling that closely mimics the taste and texture of traditional apple pie. This innovative recipe showcases the resourcefulness of cooks during a time when ingredients were scarce, but creativity knew no bounds.

Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Gingerbread Cake: A Taste of Nostalgia

Gingerbread has a rich history in American baking, dating back to colonial times. In the 1870s, this beloved treat underwent a revival, with new variations and flavors emerging to tantalize the palate. The Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Gingerbread Cake, adapted from a recipe dating back to 1852 and shared by Our Heritage of Health, is a delightful example of this timeless classic.

Made with simple ingredients like molasses, sour cream, and a blend of warming spices, this gingerbread cake offers a taste of nostalgia with every bite. Its moist texture and robust flavor make it a comforting treat for any occasion, whether enjoyed with a cup of tea on a cozy afternoon or shared with loved ones during holiday gatherings.

Rediscovering Culinary Heritage

In a time marked by upheaval and uncertainty, food served as a source of comfort, creativity, and connection. It still does. I love sitting down with a friend over a bite of something sweet.

But, if you’re in MY kitchen, you’ll quickly learn my baking skills lean more toward the Rachel side of the spectrum than that of Harriet. If a recipe requires measuring, I’ll likely make a mistake. And ingenuity? I’ve tried swapping out ingredients in a baked good multiple times, and it never turns out well. Unlike creating a meal, where I excel in making it different every time, there is a science to baking.

I hope you’ll recreate these dishes in your kitchen and pay homage to the generations of cooks who paved the way for culinary innovation. Or, if you’re like me, visit your local bakery. There’s less mess to clean up!

There are a few other recipes in Healing of the Heart. If you enjoy a good cup of hot cocoa, Thomas offers his own culinary tip.

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