To appreciate “Cooking with the Women of the Class of 1959,” you have to familiarize yourself with hermits. They're spicy baked goods packed with raisins and nuts, and their history goes all the way back to colonial times. There's a whole section in this new cookbook devoted to the vintage dessert, in addition to a host of other throwback recipes, made for or by the CHS 59ers.
If you haven't heard of them, the CHS 59ers are an active alumni group of the women of – you guessed it – the Concord High School class of 1959. It's a relatively new group, formed several years ago by Rita Kee McDonald. She got in touch with as many former classmates as she could, formed meetings, and after a while, the idea took off. There are now elected officers and committees, and the women meet for lunch, have a book group, raise money for charities and keep in touch via e-mail.
The cookbook is the work of committee members Carol Carlson, Janice Curtis, Carolyn Lewis, Margaret Harlan and Rita. They hope to sell enough cookbooks to raise money for a permanent tribute to the class of 1959 at the high school. They've considered several ideas, like a bench, scholarship fund or new furniture for the school's day care program, but Margaret said the group will be seeking input from the school, too, on how best to use the money. If all 350 cookbooks are sold, the 59ers will have about $4,000 to spend.
The cookbook itself took about two years to put together, with committee members meeting at least once a month since January 2008. They collected, sorted and typed until they had 102 pages of recipes and some fun extras like stories from contributors and several “Do You Remember?” pages with memories from when the class was in school. Elastic-waist belts and pom-pom hats, anyone? And what's this about street drag racing? Talk about a crazy bunch!
We have a sneak preview recipe here, but if you'd like to get your hands on a copy, here's what to do: Call Margaret at 622-1771 or e-mail mch909jdh@comcast.net. The cost is $15 if you live locally. If you need the book shipped, add $3 for postage. Checks can be made payable to “CHS 59ers.”
Hermits
Submitted by Muriel Dussault Couture
1/2 cup melted shortening
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg (with another for glaze)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. Karo syrup (dark)
1 cup raisins
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
Beat egg well, add sugar gradually, molasses, Karo and melted shortening. Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Add raisins and nuts.
Grease hands with shortening and make four or five long rolls of dough. Flatten slightly on a greased cookie sheet. Brush with beaten egg for a glazed top. Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes or so, and then cut into squares.
