Nothing says “Pennsylvania Dutch” like Shoofly pie. Whether it’s the wet-bottom or dry-bottom version, you will find this iconic dessert throughout Pennsylvania Dutch country and […]
Author: A Coalcracker in the Kitchen
Pizzelle
When I was growing up during the 60’s and 70’s, it was tradition in my family — and in many families throughout The Coal Region […]
Sour Mushroom Soup (Slovak Machanka)
In the Slovak, Ukrainian, Carpatho-Rusyn Orthodox Christian tradition, sour mushroom soup (machanka or macanka) is a meatless soup served for Christmas Eve Wigilia supper and any time […]
Embracing Coal Region Christmas Memories
2020 has been a stressful, trying year. For me, it has also been a year in which I find myself traveling back through the decades, […]
AP Cookies (Apea, Apeas, Apie)
When I was a kid growing up in the 60’s and 70’s much of my life revolved around traditions. There were several traditions that signaled […]
Oplatek, The Breaking of Tradition
In many Polish homes throughout the world, a beloved family tradition is the breaking of the oplatek on Christmas Eve. Oplatek (plural – oplatki ) is a thin wafer […]