47Kviews
30 Disgusting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre
Interview With Owner
Whoever said you can't time travel clearly has not stumbled upon Jess's Instagram page, "Weird Old Food." With a hefty collection of vintage cookbooks at her fingertips, Jess takes us way back, serving up photos of rather interesting recipes that might make you go, "Wait, people actually ate that?"
The charm of "Weird Old Food" lies in the mystery, with Jess sharing just enough to keep her followers intrigued and staying tuned for more. Each post reveals a scanned snapshot of a dish from the vintage cookbooks she owns, and the bare essentials—just the name of the dish, the year, and the cookbook it's pulled from. However, looking past all that, this page isn't just about the food itself, rather it’s a collection of the strange and quirky culinary trends of the past.
Also, don't forget to scroll down and check out an interview with Jess, the owner of the 'Weird Old Food' page!
This post may include affiliate links.
Shrimp Cucumber Aspic (Southern Living 1983 Annual Recipes)
Bored Panda reached out to Jess, the curator of the "Weird Old Food" Instagram page. As you might've guessed, Jess's unique hobby involves exploring vintage cookbooks and sharing particularly unusual or intriguing recipes with her audience.
When asked about how her interest in vintage cookbooks began, Jess shared, "I have always loved paging through cookbooks. I was very interested in vintage illustrations and I began collecting vintage cookbooks that had beautiful mid-century line illustrations. Now I collect any books from 1990 or earlier." The oldest books in her collection date back to the late 1800s.
Salmon In Bladder Of Pork (Loving French Cuisine, 1995)
Ham Buffet Mold (Campbell’s Great Restaurant Cookbook, U.s.a.)
Regarding a recipe that genuinely surprised her, she revealed a peculiar one, 'Salmon in Bladder of Pork' (also mentioned in the post) from the book 'Loving French Cuisine, 1995'. She commented, "It’s from the nineties, which is very modern for my collection, but the photography is horrifying. It looks so anatomical."
Rice And Salmon Mould (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)
Ducklings Afloat On A Pond Cake (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)
The most challenging dishes in her collection, she explained, come from classic French cuisine. She mentioned recipes such as "Galantine of Duck" from "Classic French Cooking, 1971", and "Chicken in Chaud-Froid Sauce" from "The Creative Cooking Course, 1975", admitting, "As a home chef I wouldn’t ever attempt those... I don’t see myself ever attempting chaud-froid sauce."
Molded Egg Salad (Betty Crocker’s Smart Cook, 1988)
Spaghetti Ring Florentine (Better Homes And Gardens 1988 Best-Recipes Yearbook)
Discussing her process for selecting which recipe to feature next on "Weird Old Food", Jess noted, "My process is very casual. When I’m looking through my collection and I see something odd or interesting I take a photo of it... My photo library looks wild- old cookbook pictures, cat pictures, and pictures of my niece and nephew. It’s mostly food pics though." She picks something that amuses her at that moment, demonstrating a light-hearted and spontaneous approach to her unique hobby.
Chutney Aspic (Trader Vic’s Pacific Island Cookbook, 1968)
Shrimps In Aspic (Grand Diplome Cooking Course, Volume 8, 1972)
Soup On The Rocks (Campbell’s Soup Ad, 1956)
Sugar Cube Castle (Holiday Cookies, Sweets, Appetizers And Meals, 1986)
That'd be fun. How many battalions do you intend to serve with that?
Frankfurter Crown With Kraut (34 Selected Recipes For Delicious Dishes And Dinners With Kraut)
Stuffed Flank-Steak Roll (Time Life Illustrated Library Of Cooking: Appetizers, Beef, Breads And Rolls, Breakfast Quick Breads, 1969)
I had a nightmare, where I was being chased (very slowly) by one of these.
Piped Clown (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)
Lemon Dill Shrimp Mold (Wilton Entertaining Appetizers To Desserts, 1994)
Lobster Salad Heligoland (Gourmet’s Old Vienna Cookbook, 1959)
We're gonna need a banana here, people. Either those are teeny tiny lobsters or the rest of the meal is gigantic!
Shrimp Tree With Curry Sauce (Great Recipes Of The World)
Whole Fish In Aspic (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)
Lettuce-Wrapped And Stuffed Fillets Of Fish (Victory Garden Cookbook, 1982)
Fruit-Salad Linguine (Better Homes And Gardens Pasta, 1983)
Rag Doll Cake (The Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating, 1978)
Sea Dream (Joys Of Jello, 1963)
Brain Salad With Cream Dressing (The Good Cook Salads, 1980)
My mum actually like boiled cow brains. Nothing like coming back from school and see a brain in a pyrex bowl in the fridge. No wonder old horror movies never scared me.
Golden Gate Saucy Burgers With Spaghetti Topping (Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking Volume 3, 1972)
Cold Glazed Salmon (Gourmet Magazine, 1964)
Hard Sauce Clowns (How To Have The Most Fun With Cake Mixes)
Summer Day Salad (Holiday Cooking For Kids, 1982)
Noodle Ring (The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook, 1980)
Fun At The Fair Cake (Wilton Yearbook 1977 Cake Decorating)
Why were these cake people so obsessed with clowns? I get serious Gacy vibes from these cakes.
Clown Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
Rhapsody In Blue Wedding Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
Omg i love that. It's a work art i don't get why it's on the list!
Lithuanian Christmas Eve Cake (Wilton Yearbook 1977 Cake Decorating)
Hunk-A-Hunk Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
Party Sandwich Loaf (Betty Crocker’s Dinner In A Dish, 1970
They made something similar to this as a technical challenge at one stage on the Great British Bake Off, and I think it says a lot that they didn't even bother publishing the recipe on their site as they usually do with the technicals. They knew nobody was re-making that at home...
This Little Pig (Better Homes And Gardens Kids’ Snacks, 1986)
This is cute. Canned fruit cocktail is a rather sad filling for a melon pig. I could see myself making this for a grown up party. Melon balls soaked in alcohol and finely chopped fresh mint.
Cucumber Cottage Cheese (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)
Tuna And Salmon Mold (Woman’s Day Encyclopedia Of Cookery Volume 10, 1966)
Cranberry Confetti Pie (Better Homes And Gardens Five Seasons Cranberry Book, 1971)
Sugar Plum Tree And Jaunty Jack-In-The-Box (The Good Housekeeping Book Of Cake Decorating, 1961)
Petals ‘N Pickles (Betty Crocker’s Cook Book, 1972)
Cover: Frankie’s Keener Wiener Cookbook, 1968
Salmon Mousse In Aspic (Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking Volume 6, 1972)
Party Time Ring Mold (The Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating, 1978)
It looks more like a large glass paperweight than anything edible.
Viennese Devils (Betty Crocker’s Festive Fixin’s With A Foreign Flair, 1964)
Cherry Ribbon Lemon Jelly, Zabaglione, Apricots In Cointreau (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)
Champagne Buffet (The Big Beautiful Book Of Hors D’oeuvres, 1980)
Ham Steak With Raisin Sauce (Fast And Flavorful New Food Processor Recipes, 1985)
Bleach! Brings up (literally) a fond memory of being stuck in the hospital as a kid and this was served for dinner. I didn't eat it, but my dad loved it! (Had to be fed bc one arm was in a cast raised up and the other hand was strapped to an IV board.) Next night was a cheeseburger and milk shake that just sat in front of me bc my parents weren't around and they couldn't find anyone to feed me. It was torture...
Party Dress (The Good Housekeeping Book Of Cake Decorating, 1961)
Looks like one of those knitted things my granny used to hide the spare bog roll under. Very festive!
Meringue Swans (The Dessert Lover’s Cookbook, 1985)
This looks like the skeleton of something that's about to burst out of someone's chest.
Shower Flower Garden (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
This is amazing. The Wilton cakes look marvelous. I’m not sure why people think they’re cursed.
Fruit-Cottage Cheese Sparkle (The Jell-O Pages, 1987)
Funny Face Hamburgers (Pillsbury’s Bake Off Main Dish Cook Book, 1968)
Grasshopper Pie (Better Homes And Gardens Encyclopedia Of Cooking 8, 1970)
Sweet ‘N’ Sour Beet Soup (Better Homes And Gardens 1988 Best-Recipes Yearbook)
Golden Fruit ‘N Faygo Chicken (Faygo Award Winning Recipes)
Portrait Of A Cowboy Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
Bundle Of Joy Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
I don't have any children, but even I know that isn't the normal shape a baby comes in.
Nursery Rhyme Cake (The Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating, 1978)
Fillet Of Sole Au Faygo (Faygo Award Winning Recipes)
Sparkly Brittle (Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking Volume 4, 1972)
Nothing wrong with this one! Just sugar without all the usual additives!
Easter Lamb Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
Holiday Treats (Perfect Endings, 1962)
Winter Doll Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating)
Domed Cauliflower-Broccoli Duo (Victory Garden Cookbook, 1982)
Ham And Egg Tower (Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking Volume 14, 1972)
Molded Candy (The Fantasy Of Molds By Wilton, 1974)
Stuffed Onions (Microwaving Fruits And Vegetables, 1981)
OMG, I actually had to make these, before microwaves were common, as the starter for a three course meal so I could pass Home Economics in about 1979.
Golden Hen (The Good Housekeeping Book Of Cake Decorating, 1961)
Limber Up Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
Sandwich House (The Best Of Sainsbury’s Entertaining, 1993)
Salmon Mousse (Cookery For Entertaining, 1979)
Actually while it’s frightening to look at, salmon mousse is delicious, even by today’s standards.
Rock-A-Bye Cake (The Good Housekeeping Book Of Cake Decorating, 1961)
Mint Balloon Cake (Better Homes And Garden Holidays And Special Days, 1959)
Sundae Steamboats (Betty Crocker’s Cookbook For Boys And Girls, 1976)
Cheese-Pate Pineapple (Mccall’s Cocktail-Time Cookbook, 1974)
Jack-O-Lantern Cake (Wilton Yearbook 1977 Cake Decorating)
Shrimp Sandwich (Open Sandwiches And Cold Lunches, 1949)
Cereal Christmas Trees (Betty Crocker’s Cook Book, 1972)
Candy-Peanut Rocket Cake (Better Homes And Garden Holidays And Special Days, 1959)
The layout looks like the peanuts are sacrificing one of them to their gods. Candles don't help this image at all.
Holiday Orange Pudding (Foodarama Party Book, 1959)
Cream Puff Christmas Tree (Betty Crocker’s Festive Fixin’s With A Foreign Flair, 1964)
The Party Tree (Great Recipes Of The World Magazine, 1983)
This is actually not bad, and has variations today. Not for me, I lack the dexterity and patience to create one.
Green Crystal Pulled Sugar Basket (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1977)
Eager Beaver (Wilton Yearbook 1980 Cake Decorating, 1980)
Living’ It Up Alf Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
Buckeroo Boot (The Good Housekeeping Book Of Cake Decorating, 1961)
Sweethearts Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
Rice Cake S’mores (Better Homes And Gardens Fast-Fixin’ Kids Recipes, 1988)l
Flaming Peach Jubilee Cake (How To Have The Most Fun With Cake Mixes)
Liquor soaked sugar cubes! Excellent way to have a contained fire on your plate!
Cucumber Rose (The Fine Art Of Garnishing, 1982)
Ready-To-Eat-Meats With Cranberry Sauce (How To Save Money On Meat From Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce)
Busy Bunny In His Easter Suit (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
A Merriment Of Elves (The Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating, 1978)
Autumn Dolls Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
Cornucopia Cake (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)
A Howling Good Time (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
Pot O’ Gold Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
Tutti-Frutti Ice Sparkle (Better Homes And Gardens Junior Cook Book, 1963)
It’s ice cubes made of kool-aid - hardly disgusting. Today we put little balls of yogurt in our tea and suck em up through a straw.
Lovable Leprechaun Cake (1976 Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating)
If there's one thing that's obvious from these images, it's that the star piping nozzle was the only one available at the time.
Agreed, The cakes are fugly but wouldn't taste bad. Now the fish/jello pairings on the other hand.. 🤢
Load More Replies...
Most of these aren't bad at all, just unusual (from a modern perspective). In fact, we've probably eaten something like the shown foods when we were kids (I know for sure we had quite a few jelly-based desserts at home). I'd love to sample many of these dishes.
Yes. And gelatine or aspic is great thing for your hair, nails, skin and joints. That reminds me that I should get some pork skins and make something amazing once again.
Load More Replies...
Agreed, The cakes are fugly but wouldn't taste bad. Now the fish/jello pairings on the other hand.. 🤢
Load More Replies... Most of these aren't bad at all, just unusual (from a modern perspective). In fact, we've probably eaten something like the shown foods when we were kids (I know for sure we had quite a few jelly-based desserts at home). I'd love to sample many of these dishes.
Yes. And gelatine or aspic is great thing for your hair, nails, skin and joints. That reminds me that I should get some pork skins and make something amazing once again.
Load More Replies...