Buzz Wood Salad
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My grandfather had me at the stove (on a stool) at the age of four flipping pancakes. And despite being born in 1916 he had a remarkably enlightened view on a lot of things. It was very unusual in the 60's for men to help with cooking and housework but he did. And he was all man too plus being VGL. Alas the looks genes missed me somehow, but that's another story.
I was with him a lot on weekend carpentry jobs and he was kind to all and did the same quality work for all. But interracial marriage was out. "Ricky," he said when I was about 11 " don't you ever bring a Black girl home with you." I didn't have the heart or courage to tell him even then I was pretty close to 100 % sure that would never happen! (meaning it wouldn't be any other kind of girl either -just in case I'm not clear.)
So, up in the North woods of Michigan in the days when he was young, men cut down large trees to heat their homes. To fit the stove, the logs had to be cut into 14 inch pieces on a Buzz Saw, which was a "rocking table" fitted next to a giant whirling circular blade. It made a loud buzzing sound each time a slice was made. This of course, was in the fall when no greens were available (there was no such thing as interstate or intercontinental shipping then) so one had to rely totally on locally grown produce. Well Grandma said it was a great treat to get an orange at Christmas so there was a tiny bit. So what was around at that time up North? APPLES….and raisins and walnuts. And in Michigan we also grow sugar beets. I should also add that Grandpa had a super sense of humor. You see it a bit in the name here, which this is his recipe. He also made applesauce from scratch all the time, he liked it chunky. I probably never had applesauce out of jar until he passed when I was 14.
Buzz Wood Salad
6 apples cored and diced but unpeeled (peel if you prefer)
1/4 cup sugar (can use half brown sugar)
1/2 tsp or more cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnutsStir all together until apples start to give off juice. Serve with a dollop or squirt of whipped cream.
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:jaj: Excellent recipe!!! :jaj: Perhaps the easiest I've seen for an Apple Salad :jaj:
BTW: Loving the stories behind the recipes.
