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Continuing the history of Kansas ethnic recipes from the 1961 Centennial to Kansas. The next group that had an influence on our Kansas heritage were the Negros. (I know this is not politically correct, but in 1961 no one had ever heard of that term. This was the term they used in the cookbook.)
In the 1860 census there were 627 black people in the Kansas territory, some were classified as slaves. By 1870 this number has increased to 17,000 freemen. (Note the word men--I’m not sure women were counted.) As the reconstruction of the South was going on, the discontent of the black people and the mass hallucination picturing Kansas as a “Land of Promise”, this number swelled to 43,107. This flood came be know as “The Great Exodus”.
A black man named Benjamin Singleton, brought several hundred people from Tennessee to Baxter Springs in 1873 and this colony did very well. Consequently, 7,000 more black people were induced to come to “Sunny Kansas”. The rumor spread that they would get 40 acres of free land, a team of mules and farm implements if they came to Kansas. This mass exodus resulted in mass confusion as there was no place for these immigrants to stay or food for them to eat. Congress had to step in and help with monetary aid. (Sound familiar.)
Gradually this stream of “Exodusters” dwindled; many died and many became discouraged and went back to the South. Some did become self -supporting. Most of those lived in the urban areas. The most notable settlement that thrived for quite some time was Nicodemus in Graham county. This community thrived until around the 1960’s .
Each immigrant group had community gatherings or celebrations which were an essential part of their way of life. The Negroes were no exception. The “Camp Meetings”, generally held in August in a rural location, were an important social and political gathering. These celebrations sometimes lasted several days--with the lure of food being a main attraction. Great pots of chicken and dumplings, sweet potatoes and cornbread was available.
My “I don’t think so” recipe is Baked Possum. Skin and draw opossum. Parboil 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and a little red pepper. Put in baking dish; surround with sweet potatoes and bake in slow oven. Pour off excess fat.
There were many, many really delicious menus to choose from, but for the “good recipe”, I chose Hush Puppies. An all time favorite for lots of people.
Hush Puppies
2 cups corn meal 1 ½ cups milk
2 tsp baking powder ½ cup water
1 tsp salt 1 large onion, chopped fine
Sift dry ingredients and add milk and water, stir in onion. Dough should be soft and workable. Add more meal or water if necessary. Shape balls with hands and fry in deep hot fat.
[Note from Jerry: For anyone interested, Nicodemus has had a resurgence in the last few years and is again having a yearly festival. To check dates, etc. Go to http://www.hdnews.net and search for Nicodemus or email me and I will forward information. ]