Cooking Like a Waylander; Anniversary Cookbook Coming

The information below was submitted by Barbara Holtz on behalf of the 375th Anniversary Committee.

For one event-packed year starting June 15, Wayland will celebrate its 375th anniversary. One way to make this anniversary year last long after the celebration has passed is for residents and friends to purchase the recipe book, "375 Years and Still Cooking," now in final production.

Cyndi Miller, the member of the Wayland 375th anniversary celebration committee who heads the project, anticipates the book will be available early this summer. Local merchants will sell the recipe book, which can also be purchased online.

The recipe book’s editorial team includes Wayland residents Sherry Anne Bryant, Barbara Holtz and Lois Davis, and Jane Sciacca of the Wayland Historical Society.

Several years ago, Miller headed a team to create a recipe book for her church’s 200th birthday, noticing at the time that contributors, readers and cooks were inclined toward interest in foods, family history and local culture.

“There is something 'binding' about food, gathering together, and sharing ideas,” she reminisced.

"Now, since we’re coming together to plan our town’s celebration year, it seemed fitting to create a recipe book that could include the foods that farmers grew, ate, and shared with resident populations centuries ago. The book gains something special by offering recipes that arose and were passed along and used throughout generations."

This “375th” recipe book includes historically vetted items such as Wampanoag stew (i.e. sobaheg), Indian pudding, and certain practical items such as soap.

In all, it contains nearly 250 recipes, some representing favorite comfort foods, “foodie” treasures, and others reflecting the town’s ethnic and cultural diversity.

In addition, contributions unexpectedly came in from sources such as grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and places of renown (Plimoth Plantation and Wayside Inn, to name a few). Some were provided by Daughters of the American Revolution, members of the Wayland Historical Society, and the Council on Aging.

An enthusiast donated a recipe for ox-tail soup, to remind us of Col. Henry Knox’s patriotic transport of cannon and artillery via ox-driven carts from Fort Ticoderoga, N.Y., to Dorchester Heights (Boston), via parts of Wayland.

Historical references are annotated in parts of the book.

Watch for upcoming announcements and events to be revealed this spring (and later in the year) by the Wayland 375th anniversary celebration committee.