The Civilian Conservation Corps Cookbook

Among the public programs put into practice by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his administration during the Great Depression was the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose charge was to provide jobs to thousands of “discouraged and undernourished young men” restoring and conserving the United States’ public lands, forests, and parks. Bizzarri (Iconic Hollywood Dishes, Drinks & Desserts) became fascinated by the CCC after discovering her grandfather had participated in the program. The result of her interest is this pithy account of the CCC, focusing on the important role food played in its success; the three square meals a day provided in CCC mess halls were a major draw to participants. The bulk of the book is dedicated to an intriguing selection of actual recipes that were served up in CCC camps, which Bizzarri has adapted for today’s home cooks, including staple Great Depression classics like mock apple pie as well as large-batch dishes such as Brunswick stew for 100.