Many East Hampton residents will receive visitors or visit family in the next week, anticipating a nostalgic Thanksgiving meal. Those tasked with cooking this meal often review old recipes, some of which are passed down through generations. Others might try out new recipes and, if successful, will share them with the next generation of family members to create new traditions.
For those of you looking to explore new recipes or track down a beloved family recipe, the Ladies Village Improvement Society cookbooks may be a valuable resource.
The 1955 L.V.I.S. cookbook is perfect for those interested in trying a new recipe while still holding onto traditions. This was their ninth, and like the previous ones it was sold during the L.V.I.S. Fair and brought in a substantial amount of money, while providing the community with recipes that included tidbits on local history.
For appetizers, readers will find classic recipes like avocado dip. More daring readers might prepare the “cucumber jelly for salad” or a “moulded” tomato salad as a first course. With a starter, of course, one must have a drink — “Montauk grape juice” or homemade root beer are great options.
Surprisingly, the 1955 L.V.I.S. cookbook does not contain a recipe for roasted turkey, but the ladies graciously included where readers could find a fresh one: George Schellinger’s (1912-1999) Spring Farm in Sag Harbor. There are a variety of casserole recipes to choose from, but the De Luxe Macaroni Casserole seems fitting for the holiday. Other traditional side dishes include a variety of prepared sweet potatoes, squash soufflé, and “potato puffs.”
For dessert, readers could try the classic apple crisp or something local, like Montauk cranberry pudding. And, of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without a slice of pie, so there are recipes for apple, pecan, and molasses pie, and a pumpkin parfait pie.
To view the 1955 L.V.I.S. cookbook and other old L.V.I.S. cookbooks online, visit digitallongisland.org.
Megan Bardis is a librarian and archivist in the Long Island Collection.
