Posted on 12/22/2010 10:40:29 AM PST by jpf
Fruitcake, the very mention of the word causes fits of laughter followed by the irrational fear that your 92 year old Aunt might send you one for Christmas. Such fear and loathing always draws skepticism from me, could it all be a frame up? Could fruitcake actually be the victim of the greatest slander since the 1964 Presidential election? Nothing, not even the Obama justice department can be that bad, can it? I've grown suspicious, my mother-in-law likes fruitcake there must be others like her. Being a capitalist I've always operated on the theory that if they still make fruitcake there has to be demand for it.
I know, Johnny Carson used to joke that there was only one fruitcake in the whole world which people kept re-gifting, but I find that explanation unlikely. Besides, if fruitcake really is the victim of slander he's the chief suspect in the case.
What makes Fruitcake so reviled?
snip
link http://flood-mybigmouth.blogspot.com/
(Excerpt) Read more at flood-mybigmouth.blogspot.com ...
I know of at least 120 fruitcakes in Sacramento, CA. Then there are the 55 or so that California exports annually to Washington, DC.
I FINALLY got on. Wait a bit, until I stop being stunned. Okay, here we go.
My mother was from England, so fruitcake was a total necessity (for her) each Christmas. She used only the most expensive ingredients, and though not a drinker, put in the best alcoholic beverage.
I tried, gently, to explain to her that none of my family liked fruitcake. To no avail. So each year the fruitcake was buried in the back of the refrigerator, then tossed out to make room the next Christmas for the next fruitcake.
Hubby is the only person I know who likes fruit cake. He likes the taste of candied fruit. Personally, I think he’s crazy.
I like the kind that is compressed into a brick like shape with more fruit and nuts than cake. Great with a hot cup of tea!!
Wife turns her nose up at it and thinks I’m crazy for wanting it.
I also like the kind that has lots of fruit and nuts, about 1 slice per year is all, though.
I like fruit cake.. so now you know there are 2 of us :)
Why is fruitcake the Rodney Dangerfield of deserts? I can only guess that most people haven’t had a good one. I’ll recommend fruitcakes sold by the Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas. They ship worldwide.
Make that three.
I order one every year from the Collins Street Bakery. The very best! My great aunt lived just outside of Corsicana. She sent me one each Christmas for over 20 years. When she passed, I kept up the tradition. Just wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
The cheap, inedible commercial knockoffs that most people associate with real fruitcake.
I rarely make them, but when I do, it is a high quality confection relished by friends and family alike...and I have to fight to get my share.
Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs Colorado
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Yes, there is such a thing as a “fruitcake toss”. The small quirky town of Manitou Springs Colorado hosts this local event every year. It’s even been featured on the Travel Channel. This even features folks hurling fruitcakes through the air via brute force, trebuchets, gun, or canon. All ages from little tikes on up participate in different categories. Bring your own stale fruitcake, or you can rent one for $1.00.
2010 celebrates it’s 15th Annual Great Fruitcake Toss in Manitou Springs on January 9th, with festivities beginning at 10:00am. Click Here to visit their official website.
Need lodging in Manitou Springs for the event while you’re here either participating or enjoying watching them? Consider staying at the Rocky Mountain Lodge & Cabins, just 10 minutes from Manitou Springs, nestled in the mountains at Pikes Peak. Rent one of our Colorado Cabins or enjoy a little more pampering in our Colorado Bed and Breakfast Lodge, and feast on our signature 3-course breakfast before heading out to hurl that fruitcake.
http://blog.rockymountainlodge.com/2010/01/fruitcake-toss-in-manitou-springs.html
You should post that as a comment on the blog, I'm sure the Collin street bakery would appreciate it, as would people looking for good fruitcake.
A related question is, “why did Nesselrode pie & pudding disapper, afer being a holiday staple for over a century?”
Can also be used as a pie filling, and decorated accordingly; also other candied fruits could be added as desired.
The recipe below is from “Uncle Phaedrus, Finder of Lost Recipes”.
Old...and I do mean OLD, Fannie Farmer cook books, among others also have recipes.
Newer ones called for (yuch!) gelatin to make it ‘easier’. Hey; maybe THAT is why it faded!
Nesselrode Pudding
(Chestnut Pudding)
1/2 cup chestnut puree
1/4 cup crystallized cherries
1/2 cup candied orange peel
1/2 cup Marsala
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup sultanas
1 dessertspoon Maraschino liquor
2 cups whipping cream
2 cups milk
5 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
Dice glaceed and candied things into bits and macerate them in the
Marsala. Wash the currants and sultanas and soak them in warm water;
when it’s time to use them drain them well and dry them thoroughly in
a clean dish towel, if you have any, or paper towels. In a heavy
bottomed saucepan, heat the milk slowly until it boils. Separate the
eggs. Reserve the whites for a chemistry experiment in the back of
the refrigerator; place the yolks in a bowl and add the sugar,
beating vigorously until the mixture is light and frothy, which takes
some doing. By then the milk should be boiling. Pour it over the mixture
in the bowl, then return the contents of the bowl to the saucepan.
Stir religiously, scraping all the corners and cook over low heat until
the custard thickens. Strain the custard through a sieve. Mix the
chestnut puree, the Maraschino and the custard together well, then add
the candied things and the raisinoids.
Whip the cream until it is very stiff, and fold it carefully into
the mixture. Pour it into a charlotte mold (I used a 2-quart plastic tub)
lined with waxed paper. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for 24 hours.
I was sent a fruit cake from that Bakery years and years ago.
Didn’t have the mature taste buds back then though so didn’t like it.
Probably would now.
I loves me some fruitcake! It has to be ooey, gooey with plenty of fruit!
Make that four. Plus I make my own.
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