But in our own tough times, when home cooking matters more than ever, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans suggests taking a page from our mothers and grandmothers' cookbooks, from the days of backyard victory gardens where fresh and local produce was grown for survival.
In preparation for an online exhibit, "Kitchen Memories," the museum recently put out a call for memories and memorabilia. We passed the word along, and readers in their 80s and 90s (bless their souls) took on the challenge, resurrecting ration coupons, cookbooks, and canning instructions (which we will forward to the museum).
Consider which Depression-era and wartime dishes endured, says Lari Robling, whose 2003 cookbook Endangered Recipes will be released in paperback next month (Stewart, Tabori & Chang Publishers).
We don't have to resurrect recipes for tomato soup, tuna casseroles, or meat loaf, Robling says, because we never stopped making them. These inexpensive meals still symbolize comfort, safety, peace of mind. They are the essence of home.
Many readers said they looked back fondly even at Victory Stew and War Cake. They're proud of their mothers' thriftiness and creativity. And humbled to think of a nation scrimping in union for what was perceived to be a just war.
Dorothy L. Thomas, who grew up in Haddon Heights, remembers her father had plenty of time to tend his victory garden after his work hours were cut. Homegrown corn and apples became corn fritters and apple dumplings for dinner.
"Yes, we were forced to eat 100 percent from our own yard," says Thomas, "but we never went hungry."
