Friday, January 7, 2011

Tradition, by Dora Silvers

Last week my son Neil came from San Luis Obispo.  He brought me a fruit cake from his Twin Sister Nancy, who lives in Seattle, Washington.

When I came to California, I was in Huntington Park. In the window of a Health Food Store, was a display of glazed fruit.  Since I wanted a snack, I asked for a 1/4 lb. of glazed fruit.  The man asked me if I was going to make a fruit cake, I said "No, I just wanted a snack." He gave me his recipe for fruitcake.  I looked it over and I decided to try and make the cake and send some back east to my relatives.  

The day after Halloween, I made several and wrapped them up, put them in the cupboard for 4 weeks as per the instruction.  I cut cardboard and made boxes and mailed them.  Everyone was delighted; they all enjoyed the treat from California. 

I made them for over 50 years.  Now Nancy makes them and sends them to me, her 3 brothers and her Aunts in New Jersey.  Nancy is following the "Tradition" of the California Fruitcake, she also makes them the day after Halloween.


3 comments:

  1. I know people who make and give fruit cake-but not many who really eat it. I know a LOT of people who regift it, for years!

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  2. Dora, I think this is a neat tradition that started all because you wanted a snack. It must have been a very good recipe for all to have liked it because, like Yolanda, I don't know many who like fruitcake. I remember when I was young it was a popular gift during the holidays but my family always regifted it also.

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  3. Dora,
    Your story reminds me of home. My mother made The Christmas Cake (fruit cake) in October and kept it in an airtight tin. Every now and then she would poke holes in it with a knitting needle and pour whiskey over it to keep it moist!At Christmas, she put thick marzipan on top and then royal icing. It was a real treat and was doled out it very small portions. How times havew changed.

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