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| The Zielke Family Circa 1951-1955 |
One day when I was interviewing Aunt Grace she was telling me about some of Grandpa's favorite sweets like Circus Peanuts, Banana Cream Pie and a Lemon Jello Cheesecake! That led to more discussion of foods that the family ate or special dishes they made. I thought documenting that conversation might bring back some fond memories of things you liked to eat at their homes or reunions! Maybe you even have a recipe or two you'd be willing to share!
Aunt Grace remembered her mom making sweets, like apple pies, sugar cookies and a white layer cake with sour cream icing and walnuts. She remembers that they never had "fresh" meat (other than the chickens they'd kill), but they loved the pork chops that had been cooked and preserved in crocks in the basement. The pork chops were warmed in big 12-14" fry pans and served with canned brown gravy, frequently served as gravy bread. She also remembers that Grandpa loved fried potatoes; I guess I take after him... Grandpa's favorite Lemon Jello Cheesecake was a low calorie dessert in a graham cracker crust. The filling was made with lemon Jello (partially whipped with an "egg beater"), cream cheese and Milnot. Sounds pretty good to me, although I'm having a difficult time believing it was low-cal??? (Did they have fat-free cream cheese in the 1940s-1960s?)
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| Upper: Family Reunion 1989 Lower: Family Reunion 1970 at Marge's home in Oswego |
As we transitioned from things the Zielke family ate and began talking about family reunions, Aunt Grace remembered that there was always fried chicken at the reunions. Some of the "specialties" mentioned below may have been brought to reunions OR they may just be a special dish that Aunt Grace remembers them making.
Home Movies: Zielke Family Reunions 1954, 1956 & 1957
Unedited, silent movies (I apologize for the dark spots)
"Little" Aunt Emily (Uncle George's wife) made a Kidney Bean Salad, sweet pickle relish and deviled eggs with hard boiled eggs, celery, onion and Miracle Whip or mayonnaise.
"Big" Aunt Emily (aka Miem, Uncle Henry's wife) made some special desserts: apple pies and a spice cake with banana frosting.
Aunt Bertha made Chop Suey! She also made a dessert of apple slices arranged on a jelly roll pan and drizzled with frosting on top.
Aunt Helen would make meat loaf with a mix of pork, beef and veal mixed with eggs, ketchup, onion, mustard, brown sugar and sage!
Aunt Mary Ellen would always take her Cheese Potatoes to reunions and picnics. Cooked and sliced potatoes smothered in a basic white sauce that had Kraft American Cheese melted into it. Uncle Ray would contribute his favorite baked frozen Lloyd J Harris apple and cherry pies!
Aunt Grace would contribute cole slaw and/or Baked Beans with Ham Bones! She says Marcia was always the pie baker in their house. The cole slaw was made with finely shredded cabbage, Miracle Whip, vinegar, oil, sugar and celery seed. (Emily liked it with pineapple chunks or drained, crushed pineapple added to it!) To make the Baked Beans, she would boil the beans with baking soda and then rinse them and cover them with clean water. Then add a ham bone, onion, celery and carrots and cook all together. Cook until everything is tender, pick the meat off the ham bone. Add ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and Worcestershire Sauce to the ham, beans and veggies and bake for about an hour at 325 degrees.
Aunt Marge's German Potato Salad was a regular at reunions. Potatoes were cooked and cut up, bacon was fried and crumbled. Fry onion in the bacon grease and blend in 1/4 to 1/3 cup flour. Add vinegar, sugar and water and cook until the sauce was clear. Warm the potatoes and bacon crumbles in the sauce and serve warm.
Aunt Dorothy specialized in desserts! Apple Squares, coffee cakes, Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing, Rhubarb desserts, pies and crisps were all part of her favorite recipes. (Jayne, any recipes to share with the family???)
While this isn't a very informative blog post, I hope it brings back a few fun memories of visits to our aunts/uncles homes or attending a Zielke Family Reunion, always coordinated with annual visits from the "Kentucky Cousins." I've long regretted losing touch with our great family after my dad's death. I guess it just didn't feel right anymore; being the one who didn't belong. It has made me appreciate even more, the opportunity to reconnect with Aunt Grace, the rest of the family and to be able to document bits and pieces of our family history. Today, one week before Thanksgiving, 2021, I'm thankful for each of you, my wonderful, extended Zielke family and most of all for our wonderful matriarch, Aunt Grace. 💖
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!
5th Dimension: "Stoned Soul Picnic" 1968
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