National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day

Post by Doris McCraw

writing as Angela Raines 

Photo Property of the Author

April is National Poetry Month, and April 20, 2022, is also National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day. Although the upside-down cake really didn't appear until the 1920s, the pineapple was used in many an early recipe. Below are a couple of recipes found in early editions of the newspaper from back in the day.

From the Leadville, Colorado, Herald Democrat, February 3, 1897

Herald Democrat

And another from the Leadville, Colorado, Herald Democrat, January 4, 1894.

Herald Democrat

I admit I love finding these recipes from the 1800s and before. There is something so comforting about seeing what our forebearers cooked and ate. It was that love I used when I added the 'special' recipe with my story "Never Had A Chance". The story of Tom and Maria and their journey to love. Below is a short excerpt:

 Maria stared at the sky. Blue, a turquoise blue that appeared artificial. Clouds slowly traveled from north to south, covering and uncovering the golden light from the sun as she watched out the window. She was in the kitchen making the green corn fritters. With each step in the process, she remembered her mother showing her how they were made.

"I made these for your father, little one, when I decided to marry him."

"Did he want to marry you?" Maria had asked.

"No, it took a bit of persuading, but in the end he was glad he pursued me," her mother laughed.

"How did you know, and why green corn fritters?" Maria had wanted to know.

"I knew the minute I saw him that he was the one for me. And the fritters, they are an old family recipe, and if you make them with love, the one who eats them loves you back."

Maria missed her mother, having someone to share secrets and who she could ask questions. The servants were kind, but it was not the same. Sighing, she grabbed her small tray, with the fritters, and headed to the young man's room. Perhaps she was being foolish, giving the stranger the fritters, but if they had helped her mother catch her father, she could do no less.

Amazon

Until next time, enjoy those recipes.

Doris McCraw