Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Johnny Marzetti
Back to the food theme -- anybody remember Johnny Marzetti on the school lunch menu? When I first met Gerry he introduced me to a very similar dish which in Maine was called American Chop Suey. Ingredients included pasta, hamburger, and tomato sauce, baked in a casserole. Don't remember eating it at home, seems like we hardly ever (never?) had pasta, but do remember eating it elsewhere. And I learned today on the Ohio History Central Blog that the Ohio version was introduced at an Italian Restaurant in Columbus in the 1920s. Click here for more details or to go to the Ohio History Blog.
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6 comments:
Oh, I remember Johnny Marzetti - sorta like spaghetti, but made with macaroni. I think I liked that.
I can remember Mother used to make spaghetti on Friday nights in the fall. She'd put it in that electric skillet so that we could help ourselves when it was supper time. It was one of those extremely rare meals when there was no required sit-down family meal. I think Mother had finally given up because too many of us had other obligations on Friday night - especially during football season. Although I'm not sure how many of those dinners happened - my recollection is when I was in high school so . . .
I also remember eating Chop Suey (Chung King or something was the maker). I remember liking the idea of it more than the actual food. I think the best part for me was the crunchy noodles.
I remember the Chop Suey and did NOT like it because it was SLIMY!
:( I did enjoy the Johnny Marzetti at school---remember Mrs. Wallen and Mrs. Ames? I don't remember anyone else who worked in the cafeteria, though. I was amazed when I had spaghetti somewhere else that not everyone made it in an electric skillet. And I don't remember ever eating anyplace EXCEPT the kitchen table until I was old enough to stay home by myself. Ah, the advantages of being bossed around by your older siblings!! ;)
Spaghetti in the skillet must have been after my time. As was the football. Only sports season 1967 and prior were basketball which was extremely popular and baseball which was much less so, but more people played. I liked the crunchy noodles best also, made up for the slimey-ness.
East Clinton had a baseball team? I only very vaguely recall that.
The first game the football team won at EC was in 1972 - which I'm sure accounts for a large part of the unpopularity. Even I know enough about sports to know that winners are more popular than losers.
I do remember Mrs. Wallen and Mrs. Ames - but not as working at the cafeteria.
I remember Alice - she long, long ago was the one you gave your finished tray to. She lived across from the side of the school in maybe the second house away from Strebers. She was always friendly. I also delivered her newspaper for years.
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