National Older Americans Month 2020: Nostalgic Ways We’ve Made Our Mark in the Kitchen
Every May our country observes Older Americans Month to recognize the contributions of our nation's elders. This year's theme is: Make Your Mark. The theme highlights the countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. Their time, experience and talents benefit family, peers and neighbors every day. Recognizing the contributions of our elders is particularly important during this time.
One special way older Americans make their mark is in the kitchen. Most of us can recall a special memory of time in the kitchen or at the table with an elder, and we have those dog-eared recipe cards from loved ones tucked away for safe keeping. Knowing that people turn to cooking and food for comfort in times of distress, DSAS decided to showcase these nostalgic culinary connections with a blog, “Nostalgic Nourishment”, designed to share favorite recipes and memories and provide some comfort during this uncertain time.
What recipes do you recall fondly? What memories have you made at the kitchen table, the stove or the backyard grill? We invite older adults in Cuyahoga County to submit their favorite recipe, the story of its origin and the memories made through it. If you are interested in sharing your recipe, please email Kathie Sizemore. We hope to collect enough recipes and memories to publish a future e-cookbook.
Zucchini Bread
Submitted by Rochelle Jackson-Days
SMBC Supervisor, Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services
Rochelle Jackson-Days got more than she bargained for when she moved into her new home. Her neighbor Mr. Miller, an avid gardener, gifted her with three zucchinis the size of baseball bats.“They were as big as my arm,” she exclaimed. “I had no idea what I was going to do with them. I really don’t eat zucchini, but I didn’t want to be rude and refuse them.”
Mr. Miller’s wife then gifted her with a special zucchini bread recipe, so Rochelle decided to give it a try. “This was my first taste of zucchini bread, and I was hooked,” she says. “I personalized the recipe with a bit more cinnamon and vanilla, which gives it that special something!”
Rochelle enjoys baking, and throughout the years has treated her family and staff to chocolate chip cookies, brownies, chocolate cake, and now zucchini bread. She can’t recall when she started baking, but says it just comes naturally. “I love seeing people’s eyes light up with joy after tasting one of my simple treats,” she explains. “Baking is so easy to do, and the benefits of the appreciation of others are so rewarding!”
Rochelle believes her zucchini bread finds a special place in people’s hearts. “One of my workers refused to try it, until one day I was able to convince him to taste it. Afterwards, he asked me to personally bake him two,” she laughed. “He took them home to share with his son and told me that together ‘they smashed it!’”
“I laugh when I think back about those three huge zucchinis,” she smiles. “They kept me busy all week baking bread for my then fiancé, my daughter, my mom, my sister, my staff, and even an extra one for myself without nuts.” The recipe is a now a tradition. Every year, Rochelle waits in anticipation for Mr. Miller to start his backyard routine and puts her bid in for fresh zucchinis.
Rochelle’s Zucchini Bread
1 egg
½ cup oil
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla (I always use a little more)
1 ¼ cup grated peeled zucchini
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 ½ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon (I always use a little more)
Beat egg, add oil, sugar, zucchini and vanilla
Add dry ingredients and then the nuts
Bake at 325° in a greased and floured 5 x 7 loaf pan for 55-60 minutes. Enjoy!
Carolyn’s Deluxe Sugar Cookies
Behavioral Health Nurse, DSAS’ Adult Protective Services Unit
“It’s been over 20 years, but I still remember Carolyn,” says Kelly Clemings, DSAS’ Behavioral Health Nurse. “She’s one of those people that just touches your heart in a special way.” Kelly and Carolyn worked together for many years at Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville. Through the decades, the hospital’s staff would celebrate various holidays and happenings together, and Carolyn could be counted on to bring her deluxe sugar cookies. Decked festively for the holidays, frosted for the bake sale, bejeweled with sprinkles for the spring tea, Carolyn’s cookies were always a crowd favorite.
Kelly especially remembers how Carolyn surprised her at her baby shower back in 1981. Kelly was expecting her first daughter, and her friend took extra pride in the fancy pink-sugared confections she created for the event. Though every cookie was devoured, Carolyn had set aside a small box of cookies for Kelly to bring home as her special gift.
As the years ensued, Kelly gave birth to two lovely daughters, Jocelynn and Caitlin, and Carolyn continued to bake her treats, always certain to set aside a little box of goodies for Kelly to take home to her girls. One day, Carolyn sadly shared the news that she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. As her health began to wane, she thought fondly of Kelly and her girls, and decided to gift them with the secret recipe for her delightful sweets.
Though Carolyn has passed, her memory lives on in the cookies Kelly now shares with her colleagues and family. She still uses the same stain-soaked recipe card Carolyn gave her many years ago. “I get requests for them all the time, and I enjoy baking them, but there’s just something missing,” she says. “Carolyn must have had a secret ingredient, because they just don’t taste the same.” Perhaps there’s a touch of soul that makes each recipe unique.
Carolyn’s Deluxe Sugar Cookies
1 cup soft margarine
1 ½ cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Cream of Tartar
Cream together margarine, sugar, egg and vanilla. Sift flour, soda and Cream of Tartar together, and slowly add to the mixture. Chill dough well, then cut into shapes and bake at 325-350° for 7 to 8 minutes.