Now, I know that funeral potatoes are basically a Mormon food. And I know there are as many different ways to cook them as there are wards it seems like. They probably didn’t start out with the association with funerals or Mormons, but they certainly have that association now. And they’re yummy.
But it’s quite possible there are more “Mormon” foods out there than just potatoes.
A couple of weeks ago I had a craving for Hawaiian haystacks. I’ve had them on a few different occasions but never made them. They’re so good. I love the mixture of flavors and textures. But I don’t know exactly what is in them.
So I turned to Google, the answer to every question. Kind of like how 12 is my answer to everything. 12 or Google.
Now, Google search has this interesting feature where as you are typing a search it will automatically suggest the top 10 searches that start with the letters you’ve typed in. It’s real interesting to see what comes up that way. So I type in “Hawaiian haystack” and the fourth suggestion is “Hawaiian haystacks Mormon.” What? Are these a Mormon food too? I’ve never even thought about it. After Brett and I stopped laughing we realized we’ve only ever eaten them with other Mormons or at a Mormon function.
So now I’m completely curious to know where Hawaiian haystacks came from and how they came to be and who the first person to make them was. But most importantly, do non-Mormons know what they are? What other “Mormon foods” are there?
Anyone have the answers?
And if you were wondering, this is what we’re doing for our haystacks:
- rice
- chicken
- cream of chicken soup mixed with one can milk
- pineapple tidbits
- chives
- chow mein noodles
- grated cheese
- diced tomato
You can also do sliced almonds, raisins, celery, coconut, green pepper…
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
Jello with other food bits in it, like carrots.
I polled a non-member, and he knew exactly what it was.
Also, I think I have to add these ingredients to my grocery list now.
It seems that every time you blog about Hawaiian haystacks, I have to have some.
We’re having them tomorrow. 🙂
There’s a short entry about them on wikipedia. Maybe others know them by a different name.
I have a Salt Lake Olympic green Jell-O with carrots pin. 😀
Jell-O with carrots is a regional thing though. Kentucky Mormons don’t know what those are. Although I’ve heard it said of the members in the Mexican colonies that they make green Jell-O with carrots just as well as they make salsa. (The salsa there is delicious!)
I contend that all these “Mormon foods” are actually Depression-era recipes used by the majority of people in the US, or that they’re from Protestant church lunches.
I don’t think there is a “Mormon food” that hasn’t been used or invented by someone else. 🙂
For instance: http://lileks.com/institute/gallery/index.html
That definitely could be. It’s interesting how they’ve adapted to current times and different groups though. Folk traditions, like food items (or even facebook statuses) are fun to try and trace.
Our haystacks were absolute delicious tonight!
Cool! Someone’s going to study Mormon Foods. I wonder if I’ll be able to find a copy of the report when it’s finished. That would be real interesting.
University of Utah fellow to study origins of Mormon food subculture
As an adult convert to the church… I know of Hawaiian haystacks, although I’ve never actually had them. I clicked the same Google link after the Missionaries said they would like them for dinner tommorrow… as I need a recipe. But I found your page instead & enjoyed the read. I was raised with NO LDS exposure until the age of 21. And I had never heard of a “Molly Mormon” or jello with anything other than fruit in it, or several other standard dishes. And my first Ward party I held when I asked people to sign up to bring “salad”, I was disappointed when I recieved jello with carrotts in it :/. Learning curve was sharp! I have lived in WI, VA, CA, & TX… so I think I’ve tried lots of foods… but there’s always room for something new!
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