By Cassie Patton
We have made it to September which means the start of soup season, when the kids are headed back to school and life feels like it’s about to get 10 times more hectic. Those summer beach days were glorious compared to the screeches from the mini versions of yourself screaming, “Where’s my cheer outfit?” or, “I’m going to be running suicides if I don’t have my jersey for practice.” What better way to kick off the season than with a batch of “Hoover stew” otherwise known as goulash.
Hoover stew originated right around the time of the Great Depression in 1929. Named after President Hoover, for the unsympathetic responses to the American people at the height of the Depression, the people blamed Hoover for the unrealistic expectations placed upon them during the hard economic times. Because of the stock market crash of 1929, millions of Americans lost their jobs; unfortunately, at this time in history there was no SNAP program (food stamps) or extra government assistance. Instead, churches led the way in hopes of coming together and helping the community, offering at least one hearty meal a day.
While President Hoover was the main source of how the Hoover stew came to be, a famous man by the name of Al Capone – yes that Al Capone – would go on and do more for the city of Chicago than the government ever did until the passing of the social security act. Capone made a positive name for himself for a short time when he opened his own soup kitchen and offered three meals a day to those who needed it. It’s been noted that Capone once provided a Thanksgiving dinner in 1930 to over 5,000 men, women, and children.
During the Great Depression, there was another similar dish called “hobo stew.” Hoover stew would typically consist of staples such as macaroni, canned/stewed tomatoes, hot dogs/ cheap sausages, canned corn and beans. Specifically dried beans, because they were cheaper than canned ones.
Hobo stew on the other hand was made up of whatever migrant workers could find as they were constantly traveling. Hobo stew usually contained water or broth, and sometimes even ketchup, along with whatever meat and/or vegetables were available and some type of thickener such as potatoes or stale bread. While the Great Depression took a serious toll on the nation, it was because of this catastrophe that we have more ways to make up a batch of goulash.
Cassie Patton, born and raised in Washington state, says she has always enjoyed writing about any topic possible. When not actively writing, she can be found baking up a sweet treat or watching football.
