Food History

Today, some Halloween foodways (and a view of Mountain Creek Farm, because I’ve been indoors all day).

Most people who replied to my pleas said “there are no Halloween foodways.”

Three people gave us their Halloween stories. Thank you all. These accounts definitely help dispell some of the stereotypes non-USians own. The mention of puncture marks gave me pause - my childhood seems so much safer than this.

First up, another 451 blogger, Heather, says:

“I used to barter for good candy with my cousins. We’d all go out together and then come back to my grandma’s house and pile up our candy. We traded each other for things we didn’t like. I don’t like Tootsie Rolls and they loved them, so I always got a pile of other things for my one little Tootsie Roll. It was great.�?

Laura tells us:

“Halloween isn’t exactly a family holiday — in fact, it’s a big celebration of children’s increasing independence from their families. Weird or wacky costumes stress the child’s individuality. Even the tiniest trick-or-treaters, still closely accompanied by mom or dad, themselves do the doorknocking and “Trick or treat!” yelling. The older the child gets, the further away mom or dad linger, until eventually the 12- and 13-year-old kids go out in groups with no adults. (To be completely accurate, that’s what happened in the 1970s, when I was 13. Parents may be more cautious now, even with their older children.)

And then — the loot! Everything your parents don’t want you to eat! And in absolutely obscene quantities! Not so much recipes, as even in my day home-baked, unwrapped things were viewed with a bit of suspicion, as piles and piles of store-bought candy.

Darkness, spookiness, uneasy glances and raucous, slightly panicky laughter, not to mention the gluttony and mischief — no, nothing of the family there. At least, one hopes not.”

And finally, to Kimberley’s Halloween:

“I grew up with Halloween as a family tradition and it has changed a lot. I remember spreading out the “haul” on the living room floor at the end of the night to see what great things I got. My mom was actually checking everything for needle punctures before I was allowed to eat it. Now children check their own candy and they know what they are looking for. I was sometimes allowed to take something homemade if we knew the people who made it. Now even if you know them you rarely accept things not commercially prepared. Most elementary schools will have a “Fall Festival” where as most more Catholic schools will call it a Halloween Party. I don’t know the actual reason for that. I think it has something to do with closer ties to the ancient druid religion. In our family a big part of the celebration is making your own costume which can begin as early as Oct. 1st. We generally watch a scary movie with popcorn balls (instead of just plain popcorn) and the candy �?haul�?. This is the sign that the Holidays have begun and the household and community spring into action. Start buying Christmas gifts, get the fall decorations out and bring the Christmas decorations down from the attic. I hope this helps you envision an idea of Halloween.
Best Wishes, Kimberly”

food history, US culture, halloween, trick or treat