Virginia Fruit Cake
The following winter food tradition is from circa 1941 Virginia and the WPA records in the Library of Congress archives. The records are related to Great Depression era America Eats Project. I produce the content in a paraphrased format when necessary to make them legible and indirect quotes as often as possible.
The two big fruit cakes were made weeks ago, right after the butchering [of hogs] was finished. Over each [fruit cake] was poured a cup of homemade wine. The cakes were then wrapped in paper and put away to ripen. . . served with eggnog, and wine, usually homemade, for those who do not want anything as potent as the traditional Christmas drink. Wine making in the US South has a long tradition. Folks made wine out of just about anything including dandelions, wild berries, peaches etc. it’s interesting to read today what sounds like people getting drunk on spiked fruitcake and homemade wines.
