Nostalgia plays a massive part in our favorite foods, and for older generations, this means that they still enjoy a whole host of foods that most people wouldn’t even consider eating these days. While some traditional dishes have come to be appreciated by all, other dishes like beef tongue and rice pudding have been long forgotten and are only eaten by those who grew up with them. Here are 18 foods from days gone by that only the older generation enjoy.
Prunes
Prunes tend to be overlooked by most of the younger generation; however, older people often rely on prunes as a great source of fiber to help with digestion. Prunes are also rich in antioxidants, which makes them good for your overall well-being and a healthy, sweet alternative to a sugary treat. Be careful you don’t eat too many in one go though, else you might end up stuck on the toilet!
Fruitcake
Your parents or grandparents likely used to make fruit cake a lot even though you probably would’ve much rather had a delicious chocolate cake! It’s most popular with older folk around Christmas time and is typically a staple on a festive menu. Fruitcake is a cake packed with dried fruits, just as the name suggests, and people sometimes soak it in brandy or rum to enhance its flavor over time.
Beef Tongue
Forbes reports that vegetarianism and veganism “are more common among young people with 7 percent of those aged 18-29 saying they are vegetarian along with 3 percent who are vegan.” However, many older people still view meat as an important part of their diet, even eating strange cuts of meat like beef tongue that would be pretty disturbing to young people. Beef tongue is a tender cut of meat when cooked properly, and it has a unique texture and flavor.
Corned Beef Hash
Corned beef hash is a hearty mixture of corned beef, potatoes, and onions that many young people have likely not even heard of! Older people love to say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and they often have this dish for breakfast along with some eggs to start their day off well. Corned beef hash is known for its savory, salty flavor and the crispy texture it has when fried.
Liver and Onions
Another gross-sounding dish that’s a favorite for many older people is liver and onions. Most of us couldn’t imagine eating liver, but the older generation was raised on things like this. Liver is usually pan-fried with caramelized onions to add some sweetness to it, and it’s a traditional comfort food with a very unique flavor. This dish is also full of nutrients and high in iron and vitamins, so maybe you should give it a go for the health benefits!
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer that was once a beloved part of any party, picnic, or family gathering. A lot of the older generation still appreciate this eggy snack and continue to enjoy it to this day! Deviled eggs are hard-boiled eggs that are cut in half and filled with a seasoned yolk paste and sometimes garnished with paprika or herbs for extra flavor. Simple to make, convenient to eat, and tasty, there’s no wonder why older people like them so much.
Cottage Cheese
The older generation tends to place a lot more importance on eating healthily than younger people. This might explain their fascination with cottage cheese, as it’s low in fat and high in protein, making it a healthy snack option. This food is also pretty versatile and can be paired with fruit or used in savory dishes. However, with many people beginning to move away from dairy, cottage cheese is slowly being forgotten by more and more people.
Spam
CNN highlights how “Spam first hit shelves in 1937 as a 12-ounce, 25-cent, convenient and long-lasting protein in a tin can during the lean years of the Great Depression.” Spam still remains a staple in older people’s cabinets even now due to how cheap and convenient it is. This canned meat product is made from pork and can be used in so many recipes! It’s even become popular in Hawaiian and Asian cuisines.
Jell-O Salad
Jell-O salad probably sounds like the weirdest food you’ve ever come across if you weren’t around in the mid-20th century. However, it’s a dish full of memories and nostalgia for those who were! Jell-O salad is a colorful, gelatin-based dish, which is often mixed with fruits, vegetables, or whipped cream. This dish used to be the main attraction at potlucks and family gatherings with its vibrant appearance and sweet taste, and many older people still enjoy it today.
Sardines
Most younger people would turn up their noses at sardines, but many of the older generation love this super-healthy food. Sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your heart healthy, and this is essential as you get older. They’re often packed in oil or water, making them a convenient snack, but they can also be used in many different recipes to make the most of their strong, distinct flavor.
Rice Pudding
Despite it looking like one of the most unappetizing desserts ever, older people still enjoy having rice pudding as a treat. Rice pudding is made with rice (obviously), as well as milk, sugar, and sometimes cinnamon or vanilla for flavor, and it can be served warm or chilled. It’s a traditional dish in many cultures, and the older generation would associate this comforting dessert with the homemade cooking they were brought up with.
Pickled Herring
Pickled herring is quite an acquired taste, and the look of it alone would be enough of a deterrent for the younger generation. However, older people who have grown up eating this strange food often appreciate its tangy and salty flavor. They also eat pickled herring for its health benefits, as it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential nutrients. This preserved fish is typically enjoyed with onions and crackers as an appetizer.
Head Cheese
According to The Telegraph, “our daily meat consumption has dropped 17 percent in a decade.” Despite this, many of the older generations continue to eat meat in all forms, shapes, and sizes. Head cheese is the king of odd meat dishes with a rich flavor and unique texture. It’s a terrine made from the meat of a pig’s head, seasoned and set in aspic, and often served sliced as a cold cut or appetizer.
Liverwurst
Of all the things to put in a sandwich, liverwurst is probably one of the weirdest, but it’s still popular with the older generation. For those younger people who don’t know, liverwurst is a spreadable sausage made from liver and pork that’s usually enjoyed in sandwiches or on crackers. It might not sound too appealing, but its strong taste is loved by many older people! They also eat liverwurst for its nutritional benefits, as it’s packed with protein and vitamins.
Clam Chowder
Clam chowder has been a staple in New England cuisine, particularly in coastal areas, for a long time! It’s a creamy soup made with clams, potatoes, onions, and often bacon. Clam chowder is known for its hearty, savory taste and thick consistency, and it makes a great warm, comfort food for cold winter nights. It might be too fishy and rich for younger people, but the older generation loves this dish.
Ambrosia Salad
Probably one of the most colorful desserts to ever be created, ambrosia salad is a sweet dish made with fruit, coconut, marshmallows, and whipped cream. While young people may have never seen this dish before, it’s a nostalgic dessert for older people, as it was a buffet and dinner party favorite, especially in the South! Reminding them of good times, older people may still make this treat for special occasions.
Tapioca Pudding
Another dessert that’s often overlooked these days in favor of more modern desserts is tapioca pudding. This is a creamy dessert made with tapioca pearls, milk, and sugar, and often flavored with vanilla. Tapioca pudding used to be a popular comforting treat! Some older people still enjoy this pudding’s unique, chewy texture and sweet flavor; however, the younger generation would most likely find its lumpy consistently off-putting.
18 Foods You Should Throw Out As Soon As They Expire
Getting rid of foods as soon as they expire will ensure your meals remain safe and delicious. Don’t put your health at risk; throw these 18 food items away straight after they expire.
Read More: 18 Foods You Should Throw Out As Soon As They Expire
17 Foods Permanently Removed from American Store Shelves
Safety concerns and health risks are two of the main reasons behind the banning of certain foods and ingredients, as food safety regulators sometimes deem different food products to be too dangerous. Here are 18 intriguing and often surprising foods that you won’t find on supermarket shelves in America.
Read More: 17 Foods Permanently Removed from American Store Shelves
18 Foods Most People Don’t Realize Are Healthy
Some foods, such as whole milk and cheese, usually labeled as unhealthy, can be packed full of nutrients. Understanding which foods are commonly misunderstood as unhealthy can help you make the most of the essential vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients they offer. Here are 18 grocery items that people often think are unhealthy but provide great health benefits.
