What were staple crops during the Great Depression?

Beans were a staple crop due to adaptability.

How did people preserve food without refrigeration?

Canning and dehydrating were common preservation methods.

What livestock were recommended for self-sufficiency?

Chickens and milk cows were recommended.

What were common meals during the Great Depression?

Basic meals included beans, cornbread, and biscuits.

How did people entertain themselves during the Great Depression?

Entertainment included radio shows, cards, and board games.

Self-Sufficiency Tips from the Great Depression | What My Grandparents Raised

Melissa K. Norris - Modern Homesteading・2 minutes read

During the Great Depression, self-sufficiency was crucial, with tips like raising livestock for food, canning and dehydrating to preserve harvests, and utilizing space-efficient gardening methods shared. Soups, stews, and simple meals like beans and cornbread were staples, while preserving techniques like canning and dehydration were essential for food security and enjoyment during challenging times.

Insights

Livestock, especially chickens, and milk cows were essential for daily sustenance during the Great Depression, providing a consistent source of food like eggs, meat, dairy, and fats crucial for cooking and baking.
Canning, dehydrating, and home gardening were indispensable practices for self-sufficiency, allowing individuals to preserve food, grow staple crops like beans, and create meals that stretched limited resources, showcasing resourcefulness and resilience during challenging times.

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Summary

00:00

"Great Depression self-sufficiency tips for today"

Self-sufficiency tips from the Great Depression era are shared, emphasizing the need for self-reliance and resourcefulness.
The importance of livestock, particularly chickens, is highlighted for a daily source of food, including eggs and potential meat.
Owning a milk cow is recommended for a variety of dairy products like butter, cream, yogurt, and cheese.
Having fat sources from livestock, like lard from pigs and tallow from cattle, is crucial for cooking and baking.
Gardening is essential for self-sufficiency, with beans being a staple crop due to their adaptability to various climates.
Canning and dehydrating food was common practice to preserve harvests for the winter months without refrigeration.
Basic meals consisted of beans, cornbread, biscuits, and occasional treats like rice pudding, often bartered for with homegrown produce.
Hunting, fishing, and raising livestock like beef cattle and pigs provided meat sources, often salt-cured for preservation.
Soups and stews were common meals to stretch smaller amounts of meat and vegetables, with broth aiding in satiety.
Vertical planters and container gardening are suggested for those with limited space, offering a solution for growing food at home.

13:40

Food Preservation and Entertainment During the Depression

During the Great Depression, canning and dehydration were crucial methods of food preservation, with venison and beef being raw packed for pressure canning to create a natural broth for quick meals.
Jams were a popular preservation method, with strawberry jam being a favorite, made without store-bought pectin due to cost constraints, using low sugar recipes to achieve a gelling point.
Dehydration was another common preservation technique, with fruits like pears and peaches dehydrated after canning, using a light syrup to preserve color and flavor.
Entertainment during the Great Depression was limited to radio shows, cards, and board games due to financial constraints, offering a glimpse into the simple pleasures of the time.
For those interested in canning, a free pressure canning series and a full canning course with over 65 recipes are available, along with a home fruit canning course focusing on low sugar preservation methods.