So Let's Discuss Some Old Cincinnati Delicacies (Cleveland, Montgomery: home, school)

[kjbrill]

I would just like to introduce some of the delicacies enjoyed by the good citizens of Cincinnati some 60 plus years ago. This would be when WWII was just getting over any and everyone hoped the Great Depression was over.

Some of the items I remember.
. Giant Kosher dilled pickes. Some in a large jar, some in a crock. But all great to eat.
. Pickled pigs feet. Don't know how people stood those things, but my family gobbled them down.
. Head Cheese. Another item revolted me but the family devoured.
. Limburger Cheese - Smelled absolutely terrible. But the family would sit around with a slice off the loaf plus a thick slice of onion and a slice of dark rye bread, thought it was delicious.
. A big pot of chicken feet from the butcher shop. No actual chicken, just the feet boiled to death and then some noodles thrown in to make chicken soup?

I do remember my mother making Hasenpfeffer when my dad went hunting for rabbits. They called it stew, I called it pure s**t.

How many of you remember foodstuffs less than to your liking?

[goyguy]

I remember seeing giant pickles in stores, and maybe they're still being sold. I don't check around the big-box supermarkets that now serve the purpose of the corner grocer.
Pickled pig's feet are considered soul food. I make sure to steer clear of the huge bowl of them that's always part of the New Year's celebration in the home of friends with West Indian roots. Ditto for chitlins. Too bad, 'cause they might actually taste good. (Since I love greens and black-eyed peas my good fortune for a year is guaranteed nonetheless.)
Chicken feet are looked upon as a delicacy by Chinese folks (at least first-generation arrivals.) They're easy to procure at old-school shops in Boston's Chinatown. But somehow I doubt they've made it into the inventory at Jungle Jim's.
Rabbit is delicious, but I've never eaten it in hasenpfeffer though I've heard the term.

Although it's not easy to find these days, mock turtle soup is peculiar to Cincinnati. Since my tastes were dictated in small part by parental preferences I never sampled it either. (My dislike for local chili I developed through trying it plenty of times on my own. Goetta I can take or leave.)

One Cincy delicacy I think we can agree on as being delicious is schnecken! I also enjoy a good Christmas stollen. Both are part of the Queen City diet only because of the German influence, no can find in Beantown, so family visits are always eagerly anticipated for that reason among others.

[kjbrill]

I like to take my Christmas Stollen and dip it into a large cup of let's say robust brewed coffee. When it starts to fall apart the consistency is about right.

For the Christmas dinner itself, my mother always had a mincemeat pie with a hot wine sauce, a dutch apple pie distinguished by the topping plus vaniella ice cream ala mode, plus a pumpkin and pecan pie smothered in whipped cream. After dinner was consumed, we would sit there and just scarf down those pies. I know mom prepared those pie crusts using lard. Maybe not the best for your health but absolutely the lightest and flakiest pie crust ever created by mankind, in her case womankind. The kind of memories which last a lifetime.

[Joeytraveler]

The cincinnati food that I would miss most are grippos bbq chips. I don't no why but they are so addicting, amazing and gross all in one.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by Joeytraveler

The cincinnati food that I would miss most are grippos bbq chips. I don't no why but they are so addicting, amazing and gross all in one.

I like your comment. But compared to historical Cincinnati foods, bbq chips rank right in there with Taco Bell. If it is something which ticks your bell (siq) that is fine. I guess Grippo has some history. If Grippo Potato Chips are a Cincinnati Icon, let us know.

[Joeytraveler]

I'd put them in that arena as they've been here since 1919 and are definelty associated with the city. I'd also put it out there that I know people who no longer live here who have grippos shipped to them much like skyline, Montgomery inn sauce, etc.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by goyguy

Chicken feet are looked upon as a delicacy by Chinese folks (at least first-generation arrivals.) They're easy to procure at old-school shops in Boston's Chinatown. But somehow I doubt they've made it into the inventory at Jungle Jim's..

Chicken feet were quite popular among most farm families in the area for chicken noodle soup. Chicken necks and backs provide the true chicken flavor associated with a good soup. The feet provide some thickening and give the soup a good sheen.

As much as people like to talk about MOCK turtle soup, a good use of the cheek meat of calves, REAL turtle soup was as common in a lot of households. When I was in Cleveland, we had a pretty constant source of turtle meat.

[kjbrill]

I remember my grandmother coming home from the butcher shop with a big sack of chicken feet. She may have had some necks in there too. I just knew what to expect, chicken noodle soup and it was good.

I can't recall having any real turtle soup. Just don't think there were enough turtles around here. But MOCK turtle soup is still one of my favorites. Do you go to St Rita's to get theirs?

When my father used to go duck hunting I would hope he drew a blank. Wild duck is one of the greasiest foods there is. Pheasant is not as bad, but still too greasy for my tastes.

[kjbrill]

I should have been kinder to the poster who threw out Grippo potato chips. They should be considered a Cincinnati icon. I also like Husman's thick crinkled chip but have some difficulty finding them in the large metal can which I felt retained freshness.

[kjbrill]

I purposefully left Cincinnati Chili and Goetta off of my list, simply because they are so well known.

I would expect associated with the earlier days of Cincinnati and its designation as Porkopolis that both Chitlins and Pork Rinds would be in the diet. I don't recall having Chitlins so much but Pork Rinds were one of my favorites.