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Gruel as a treat and a change from oatmeal dishes on an Orkn...

Date 25 June 1969
Track ID 64266
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1969.53

Original Tape ID

SA1969.053

Summary

Gruel as a treat and a change from oatmeal dishes on an Orkney croft.

Gruel, made with bought flour, was a treat. Sometimes gruel was all Ethel Findlater's family got for Sunday dinner. Milk was put in the three-toed pot and hung on the crook until it boiled. The flour was mixed with cold milk until it made a smooth paste. It was added to the boiled milk and the mixture was brought back to the boil. The pot had to be linked up or down to prevent it from burning. It boiled for a quarter of an hour or so, and then sugar was added. The gruel was poured into soup plates, and eaten with milk and rhubarb jam - or strawberry jam as a luxury.

Item Location

County - Orkney

Parish - Sandwick

Island - Orkney Mainland

Village/Place - Dounby, Breckan

Language

English, Scots

Genre

Information

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good