In the rush of the hollydazes some of the important things can be forgotten in the mad rush to get everything done. Things like remembering those people that aren't here anymore and the traditions and recipes that they passed down. To that end, I'm posting my maternal grandmother's fruitcake recipe.
Now, don't groan. It's not that kind of fruitcake. It's not cakey. It's more like candy, crunchy, chewy, tooth-rotting, filling-busting fruitcake, with nuts, candied fruit, and a whole parcel of South Beach Diet No-No's.
Plus, it's not really about the fruitcake. It is more about the family traditions -- of having the fruitcake around at the holidays, of the family trips to No. Carolina to the farm, where time would literally stand stilll, to other cultures, and branches of the family tree. The pecans for the recipe would come from the tree in the yard, and would be painfully shucked by the whole family. (That's another story, about Thanksgiving.) Many of us wouldn't eat the fruitcake for years, well, because it was fruitcake. It wasn't until last year, when she wasn't with us anymore when we all realized we had to have "Grandma Jones' fruitcake." Seeing Mom and Dad struggle to make it just added another layer to the memories -- of nutty people cooking, of brothers and sisters squabbling over the last piece, of Grandmas playing with their grandchildren, and Christmas spirit.
Enjoy the holidays.
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Grandma Jones' UNCOOKED FRUIT CAKE
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Pound Marshmallows
3 Cups Pecans
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Pound Graham Crackers
1 Pound Seedless Raisins
1 Pound Mixed Candied Fruit
Mix the crushed Graham Crackers, Raisins, Candied Fruit, Pecans, and Salt in a large container.
Melt Marshmallows in milk over medium heat or in the top of a double boiler. Stir until the Marshmallows are melted.
Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and mix together well. (Using your hands is OK!)
When mixed, press together into a slightly buttered plate or pan in whatever shape is desired.
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All I can see is "blah, blah, blah, marshmallows, blah blah, blah marshmallows, blah, blah..."
ReplyDeleteIs that bad?
I know. It's sentimental and sugary. Just like the marshmellows.
ReplyDeleteDon't be mean, or you'll be getting the other kind of fruitcake sent to you!
The nuts, in the cake are for those that are tired of walnuts. The Fruit is to give it color. The raisins help add a sugar jolt. the marshmallows and milk make it a breakfast treat. The whole thing is healthy and meets the new food guide lines for high fiber and protein. A little warm coco and Christmas is just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNow quite worrying about getting hands dirty and mix one up.