You can tell you're from the South if you recall these vintage kitchen gadgets.
A Southern grandmother’s The kitchen is a unique space filled with delightful recollections (alongside numerous batches of biscuits and cookies). It stands as the origin of countless children’s initial tastes of cheese-topped casseroles and Southern dishes. layer cakes Grandma's kitchen was also a haven for various trinkets and odds and ends, from an unremarkable container of spare bacon fat left out on the countertop to a cookie jar filled with her renowned treats. cookies Some of these distinctive kitchen gadgets evoke such nostalgia that they've become less common nowadays, making us cherish them even more. Maybe it's high time to revive their use.
Here are seven things we’ll always miss about Grandma’s kitchen.
His Cabinets Brimming with Tupperware and Baking Supplies
She was always aware of which cabinets needed careful handling, as they could unleash an avalanche of repurposed Cool Whip containers and piles of CorningWare baking dishes. Not one margarine tub, jelly jar, or coffee canister escaped her hoarding for future leftovers; truth be told, we kind of long for those blue-patterned vintage baking dishes to grace our holiday spread once again.
His Extremely Retro Cooking Utensils
Exploring the kitchen drawers felt just like opening an additional toy chest, primarily due to how several culinary implements failed to reveal their functions openly, thus making them even more intriguing for inquisitive grandchildren. One might pull out items such as a manual crank mixer, an egg separator, a flour sifter container, an angel food cake pan, or perhaps a tenderizing hammer. Unfortunately, numerous traditional utensils either gather dust unused today or have been substituted with contemporary versions—though admittedly, often at the cost of losing some charm and delight.
Her Assortment of Rooster Décor—or Any Other Motif
Southerners' grandmothers tend to enjoy gathering ornamental objects, frequently centering their collections around specific motifs like roosters, owls, dogs, floral patterns, or perhaps simply polka dots. general farmhouse aesthetic —And you can count on the theme being thoroughly embraced. Initially, there may be a pair of salt-and-pepper shakers. Next comes a tea towel. Afterward, a framed cross-stitch adorns the wall. Eventually, the collection includes both the candy dish and cookie jar. Roosters dominate every corner.
Her Display of Scarcely Utilized Porcelain Plates
There's delicate porcelain reserved for meals during special events and festivities, and another set meant solely for display in the kitchen or as wall decor. Using china as decor around the home is a classic Southern design move—with our grandmothers leading the way—and it makes complete sense. A set of beautiful dinnerware is a work of art and deserves to be displayed like it. (Not to mention, it's a real investment.) Her most prized plates were settled cozily on an accent wall to admire on any day.
Her Impressive Silver Collection
Everyone knew the holidays were coming around when grandmothers would start pulling out the “good silver” to make sure everything was polished and shiny-new, usually recruiting older grandkids to help out. Between holidays, you might find these serving pieces and silverware sets tucked away in a special drawer not to be touched—and protected under lock and key if necessary. Luckily, these family heirlooms are often passed down and can be appreciated in our own kitchens.
Her Many Tubs of Margarine—And Butter Dishes
Remember when the chosen spread of choice could just as easily be margarine, or oleo , as real butter? Those tubs would pack the fridge full year-round but especially during the holidays when many big family meals were to be held and running out of easy-spreading margarine just wasn’t an option. Along the same stroke, it just wasn’t grandma’s house without a butter dish sitting out on the counter. She was right—you actually can keep butter at room temperature ! Especially when there are biscuits around.
Related: 28 Nostalgic Childhood Dishes That Take Us Back In Time
Her Mismatched Pastel Kitchen Appliances
Before the appliance world went primarily stainless steel, kitchens featured appliances, gadgets, cabinets, and walls in many shades of pastel and bright colors. In fact, the more, the merrier! On a visit to a Southern grandmother’s place, there might have been a Pepto Bismol pink mixer next to an avocado green toaster. While most of them have most likely been retired, we see the trend pop back up in new modern ways all the time. As per usual, Grandma knew best.
Read the initial article on Southern Living
