Fascinating story and delicious-sounding recipe that may help soothe the nerves as the returns come in! Thanks for sharing those historical tidbits of rules regarding using food and drink for bribery and influence and how they differ state to state...I had no idea.
Any substitution ideas for pear preserves? Only thing I think I can't readily find and it looks delicious!
Also, you've got me thinking back to cult foods in British politics. For elections, curry is a big one. Certainly between the two main parties going for a curry is a staple end of the day campaign activity (I remember on both major campaigns I've worked on I lost a tonne of weight in the first half from all the walking between doors to talk to voters... and then it started to creep back up again in the second half from all the naan, rice, ghee-slicked curries and fried potatoes we were eating) and the Jerk chicken and pork available in the Parliamentary cafeterias it has achieved cult like status: for a good 9 years there was a twitter account telling you which cafeteria and on which day you could get it (https://twitter.com/speakerjerkow?lang=en-GB) and Government ministers who had passes which would allow guests onto the Parliamentary estate used to bring staff from their departments on Jerk days as a treat! The Jerk pork is pretty much the only thing I miss about working in politics.
Election days were a school holiday in Virginia. The school was the polling place for elections so an ambitious PTA had a bake sale with high sales volume as people passed by.... they then added a donated book sale for the school library. Both were major events for funding school projects... I’m sure both are now frowned upon, which is too bad as these were lovely. events
Such a marvelous post that I’m just getting around to reading days after Election Day! Thanks, Anne and Annette, for sharing this fascinating and timely historical background on influence of food on elections and for a great fall recipe--perfect for an election season that, what with recounts and runoffs, will likely stretch through the end of the year!
Thank you, Annette and Anne-- fascinating post and I now want gingerbread cake!
Fascinating story and delicious-sounding recipe that may help soothe the nerves as the returns come in! Thanks for sharing those historical tidbits of rules regarding using food and drink for bribery and influence and how they differ state to state...I had no idea.
Any substitution ideas for pear preserves? Only thing I think I can't readily find and it looks delicious!
Also, you've got me thinking back to cult foods in British politics. For elections, curry is a big one. Certainly between the two main parties going for a curry is a staple end of the day campaign activity (I remember on both major campaigns I've worked on I lost a tonne of weight in the first half from all the walking between doors to talk to voters... and then it started to creep back up again in the second half from all the naan, rice, ghee-slicked curries and fried potatoes we were eating) and the Jerk chicken and pork available in the Parliamentary cafeterias it has achieved cult like status: for a good 9 years there was a twitter account telling you which cafeteria and on which day you could get it (https://twitter.com/speakerjerkow?lang=en-GB) and Government ministers who had passes which would allow guests onto the Parliamentary estate used to bring staff from their departments on Jerk days as a treat! The Jerk pork is pretty much the only thing I miss about working in politics.
I was aware of a lot of the history, but it's always a good reminder. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I voted!
Can you turn this cake into a upside down cake ?
Election days were a school holiday in Virginia. The school was the polling place for elections so an ambitious PTA had a bake sale with high sales volume as people passed by.... they then added a donated book sale for the school library. Both were major events for funding school projects... I’m sure both are now frowned upon, which is too bad as these were lovely. events
Baking something seems like a good idea to take my mind off of things. I worry every day for the future of my children. Our democracy is in jeopardy.
That looks delicious. Forget tequila shots. Now I want gingerbread cake and tea while I watch election returns. What has happened to me??
Here is an Election Day prayer I just shared with my dear daughter-in-Iaw: May we be surprised by the better angels.🙏🏼Here’s hoping.
See also Election Cake
Such a marvelous post that I’m just getting around to reading days after Election Day! Thanks, Anne and Annette, for sharing this fascinating and timely historical background on influence of food on elections and for a great fall recipe--perfect for an election season that, what with recounts and runoffs, will likely stretch through the end of the year!
I voted. For gingerbread!