Wilted Lettuce
Source of Recipe
Old Monroe, Missouri & Carol Ann
Recipe Introduction
The fastest growing area in Missouri [2000 Census] is Lincoln County, an agricultural community west of the Mississippi River and north of St. Louis. The first settlers in Old Monroe were Revolutionary War veterans in 1799, building along the Cuivre River... ]
the post office was established in 1863. The Keokuk and Northwestern R.R. line ran the 'long line' to St. Louis and the 'short line' to nearby Troy in 1888.
For almost 200 years, life was centered around small towns like Elsberry, Foley , Winfield, Troy, Chain-of-Rocks, and others. In spite of the threat of floods, families continued to grow crops and livestock and ship via wagon and then railroad to St. Louis, and also steamboat.
Drawn by the beautiful countryside, rolling hills, and earth mounds of previous cultures,
today's settlers are the 'immigrants' from Big City Life, perusing the dream of peaceful isolation....the result is a new highway, rising land prices, the sale of family farms, and a rural school system unable to keep up with the growing population..
and of course, this could be about any similar county throughout the United States.
It is always a bit sad to see a new subdivision replace a familiar landmark; the farm where I bought from the roadside stand, the "Homemade Jams and Pickles" signs replaced by realtor's signs...all signs of progress and New Suburbia.
Alas, Time marches on along with the bulldozers.
From gentler times , I offer some favorites. Please check out Strawberry Pancakes, Blue Ribbon Corn Relish, Mother's Dumplings, Onion Patties and Wilted Lettuce.
this was the 'salad' of most farm families while fresh lettuce was still growing in the garden.
1 cup water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/c melted lard, bacon drippings, or oil
1/2 tsp. salt
mix in iron skillet or pan, whisk in
3/4 c sugar and
2 Tab. flour[mixed]
stir in to prevant lumps..cook until thick, add bits of fried bacon..
pour over a bowlful of cleaned leaf lettuce..
add 1/2 cup chopped onion.
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