WAFFLES – A COMMUNITY TREAT

 By Mary Emma Allen

The waffles were prepared on commercial waffle irons by a husband/wife team who do this for many organizations throughout the area. To accompany the waffles, they provided many toppings….strawberries, maple syrup, fruit syrups, low cal syrup, and whipped cream to top it off.  Each person also was served link sausage. We had orange juice, coffee or water as beverages.

Origin of Waffles

Waffles, considered a type of quick bread containing eggs, and thin enough to be poured onto a waffle iron, apparently originated in Europe.   They usually are thought to have evolved from pancakes, which originally were cooked on hot stones.  Some people consider pancakes and waffles the oldest form of bread in the world.

This food was brought to our country by the early settlers.   Some researchers indicate the Pilgrims made waffles.  (Did they think to bring waffle makers or even have space in their belongings for these?)  Others say the Dutch introduced pancakes and waffles to this country.

Early Waffle Irons

The Dutch and Germans have been credited with bringing waffle irons with them.  The Dutch called them “waffre” or “wafel” irons.  The German name for this food and the cooking implement meant “honeycomb” or “weave” which describes the pattern on a waffle.

The early waffle cooking appliances (commonly called irons in days ago) were heated over the fire or on a stove. Then the batter was poured inside.   Making waffles this way required patience and experience.

Nowadays we have electric waffle irons in many shapes and sizes.   The newest ones contain a timer and sometimes a buzzer that tells when the waffle is cooked to a tasty golden brown.

Family of Waffle Consumers

We serve waffles frequently in our home, using various recipes and flours.  My husband recently acquired one of the Belgium waffle makers that you can flip over once filled with batter.  It makes delicious waffles, cooked perfectly, we’ve discovered.

Waffles have become a common breakfast item in many motels that serve complimentary breakfasts.  Jim and I try to stay in these where they have the self-serve waffles. Just pour the prepared batter into the iron, flip it over, and a buzzer will let you know when the waffle is done.

When fresh strawberries are in season, we purchase them, hull and mash them, then spoon the berries over our waffles at breakfast. 

Waffle Toppings

FRUIT – Toppings of fresh and/or canned fruit…mashed strawberries, blueberries, crushed pineapple (alone or combined) are my favorite.   I often add whipped topping to this.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE WAFFLES – Take 2 Belgian waffles.  Spoon mashed strawberries over one.  Top it with another waffle and spoon strawberries over this.  Add whipped cream or whipped topping.  Delicious!

SYRUPS – These can consist of many types in addition to the usual maple or maple flavored.  You can use various jams and jellies as waffle toppings, too. 

GRAVY – An old-fashioned topping for waffles and pancakes consisted of gravy when I was a youngster.  Mother might make this for a hearty breakfast or for the supper meal.  Usually sausage, ham or bacon accompanied the waffles, perhaps fried or scrambled eggs, too.

SUGARED WAFFLES – My dad often buttered his pancakes and waffles, then sprinkled them with granulated sugar.  That may have been a carryover from the Depression days when they had to choose between sugar or syrup. 

©2008 Mary Emma Allen

(Mary Emma Allen enjoys traveling, collecting new recipes, and meeting with friends. Visit her new travel blog, http://greenvagabondtraveler.blogspot.com . E-mail: me.allen@juno.com.)