Traditionally pork or chicken was the main source of meat, but beef, fish, and a wide variety of wild game were also enjoyed. Some form of homemade bread was served at nearly every meal. The two main types of breads were corn breads and biscuits. There are almost more ways to eat a “Cat Head” biscuit than you can imagine. Most everyone grew their own gardens and during the summer, large gardens would produce an abundance of fresh vegetables. Fa- vorites vegetables tended to be green beans, cabbage, turnips, beets, garden greens, toma- toes, onions, carrots and potatoes. Not only did these large gardens product fresh vegetables for the summer but also for canning and preserving for the coming winter months. Winter in the North Carolina mountains were extremely harsh at times and a stockpile of preserved meats and vegetables were a necessity for survival.
Often winter storms would keep people “snowed in” for days, weeks, or at times, even months with no way to get supplies from the few stores that did exist. Mountain people were, and still are, mostly self-sufficient. They quickly became highly respected and sought out for their sur- vival skills.
Herbs and spices were not readily available. The main seasonings were salt and black pepper with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a few others mostly reserved for baking. Small quantities of meats such as “fat back” and bacon were often used to season vegetables.
