The 4th of July always makes me think of summer backyard picnics at Grandma Caldwell’s Meadville, Pennsylvania home. Whether braving a scratch to find a ripe raspberry, riding the mower over the immense lawn, avoiding bees in the attic to seek hidden treasures, hunting fireflies, or fishing on Tamarac Lake, we always seemed to be having fun with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles and the cousins. And there was always food!
I was recently given a copy of the 4th of July menu that Grandma Caldwell fixed every year, and I wonder how long it took her to prepare the smorgasbord? Just reading it makes me want to start baking. Here’s her menu…
- Turkey Breast
- Cottage Cheese
- Potato Salad
- Relish – Olives
- Macaroni Salad
- Rolls
- Cole Slaw
- Jello
- Baked Beans
- Deviled Eggs
- Salad Plate
- Cranberry Sauce
- Pickles
- Soda Pop
- Cheese
- Blueberry Muffins
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- Peach Pie
- Lemon Pie
- Strawberry Pie
- Banana Cream Pie
- Cake
I hope you enjoy these two recipes straight from her recipe box and my memories ~ Enjoy, and Happy Independence Day!
Grandma Violet Caldwell’s Potato Salad
Serves 6
4 cups cubed boiled potatoes
½ cup chopped onions
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup sweet pickles
1 cup salad dressing / Mayo
1 t mustard
½ t celery seed
½ t salt
1/8 t pepper
Mix all together and chill
Grandma Violet Caldwell’s Peach Pie
Store-bought crust
Prebake
6 peaches
Pitted skinned and sliced
1 3oz pkg. peach or orange jello
½ cup cornstarch
1 cup of sugar
4 cups hot water
Boil until thick
Allow to cool
Add fruit
Mix and put in crust.
Allow to set in the refrigerator. Delicious!
