Savannah Sampler
By Margaret Wayt DeBolt
My mother, Margaret Wayt DeBolt, was a journalist, historian, and author of several books focused on the history and culinary traditions of Savannah, Georgia. She passed away in 2009, but her books are still popular today with tourists and residents of the area.
I recently acquired a print run of her Savannah Sampler cookbook after the small press that published them closed when the owner retired. I’m excited to make them available for purchase.
My mother packed the cookbook with fascinating tidbits about Savannah’s history, quotes from classic 19th century southern cookbooks, and drawings of the city’s landmarks, in addition to the delicious recipes, both old and new. Famous recipes include Chatham Artillery Punch (a popular beverage served at the famous Pirate’s House Restaurant), Creole gumbo, real southern chicken pie, Vidalia onion dishes, shrimp dishes, crab dishes, benne seed cookies, pecan dishes, chutneys, and Lane Cake, which is often called “the South’s favorite Christmas cake.” (This recipe for Lane Cake reaches all the way back to the 1898 classic southern cookbook, Some Good Things to Eat.)
I hope you’ll check out this cookbook for yourself—and perhaps gift a copy to someone who loves history and good food!