FOUR MOTHERS

Old Mother Frugal’s ancestors came from Italy back in the early 1900’s.  The family is now into its fifth generation here in the United States.

Passed down throughout the generations has been the family red sauce or red gravy recipe.

The sauce or gravy, as referenced by some Italian families, has another name. Sunday Sauce.

Before there were blenders, microwave ovens, crock pots and Insta-Pots, there was a gas stove, a pair of hands, a large pot and a wood spoon in a walk-up apartment in Little Italy on Mulberry Street in New York City.

This was a time when “clean eating” and “whole 30” was a way of life, not a style of eating. It was a time when meal planning during the Great Depression meant having a family member standing on a line for bread or food. It was a time when there was no food waste.

It was also a time when neighbors took care of neighbors.

The story goes that in Old Mother Frugal’s family, Grandma and Grandpa Frugal had jobs so they cooked and fed the families in their apartment building when families had no food. The sharing of food was passed down to the next generation, Old Mother Frugal’s parents. They in turn passed food sharing onto their children. Old Mother Frugal now cooks and shares food with her Mother’s Little Helpers.  Mother’s Little Helpers are now cooking and sharing as well.

Four generations of mothers. Four generations of cooks sharing their love of food with others. The newer gadgets that have been invented since the early 1900’s have improved food preparation. What has lasted through generations are good hearts, a large pot, a good pair of hands and a wood spoon.

SOUND THE BULGE! Today’s tip: There are plenty of recipes on the internet on “how to” make spaghetti sauce. Here are two tips that will make your sauce successful. Allow one hour/28 oz can of simmering time and when your wood spoon can stand on its own in the center of the pot, your sauce is ready to be served. Mangia!