21 Disgusting Vintage Recipes That Prove The Dishes Of The Past Were Really Bizarre

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Whoever claims that time travel is impossible clearly hasn’t visited Jess’s Instagram account, “Weird Old Food.” With an impressive array of vintage cookbooks, Jess transports us to the past with images of fascinating recipes that might leave you wondering, “Did people really eat that?”

The allure of “Weird Old Food” resides in its sense of mystery. Jess provides just enough details to keep followers captivated and eager for more. Every post includes a scanned image of a dish from her collection, along with the basics—the dish’s name, the year, and the cookbook it’s sourced from. Beyond that, this page isn’t only about the food; it’s a window into the unusual and whimsical culinary fads of yesteryear.

Be sure to scroll further to enjoy an interview with Jess, the curator behind “Weird Old Food”!

1 Shrimp Cucumber Aspic (Southern Living 1983 Annual Recipes)

Bo…a contacted Jess, the organizer of the Instagram page “Weird Old Food.” As expected, Jess has a unique passion for delving into vintage cookbooks, uncovering and showcasing particularly unusual or captivating recipes to her followers.

When inquired about her fascination with vintage cookbooks, Jess explained, “I’ve always enjoyed browsing through cookbooks. My interest was piqued by vintage illustrations, leading me to collect vintage cookbooks featuring beautiful mid-century line art. Now, I gather any cookbook published in 1990 or earlier.” Her collection includes books that date all the way back to the late 1800s.

2 Salmon In Bladder Of Pork (Loving French Cuisine, 1995)

3 Ham Buffet Mold (Campbell’s Great Restaurant Cookbook, U.s.a.)

When discussing a recipe that genuinely amazed her, she shared an unusual one: ‘Salmon in Bladder of Pork’ (also noted in this post) from the book ‘Loving French Cuisine, 1995’. She remarked, “It’s from the nineties, which is considered quite modern for my collection, yet the photography is terrifying. It has an anatomical appearance.”

4 Rice And Salmon Mould (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)

5 Ducklings Afloat On A Pond Cake (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)

She noted that the toughest dishes in her repertoire are those from traditional French cuisine. Referencing “Galantine of Duck” from “Classic French Cooking, 1971,” and “Chicken in Chaud-Froid Sauce” from “The Creative Cooking Course, 1975,” she confessed, “As a home cook, I don’t think I’d ever try those… I can’t picture myself tackling chaud-froid sauce anytime.”

6 Molded Egg Salad (Betty Crocker’s Smart Cook, 1988)

7 Spaghetti Ring Florentine (Better Homes And Gardens 1988 Best-Recipes Yearbook)

When choosing the next recipe for “Weird Old Food,” Jess explained, “I have a relaxed approach. As I browse through my collection, if I stumble upon something quirky or intriguing, I snap a photo of it… My photo library is quite a mix—old cookbook shots, pictures of my cats, and snaps of my niece and nephew. It’s mainly filled with food photos, though.” She selects whatever captures her attention at that moment, showing her fun and spontaneous take on this unique hobby.

8 Chutney Aspic (Trader Vic’s Pacific Island Cookbook, 1968)

9 Shrimps In Aspic (Grand Diplome Cooking Course, Volume 8, 1972)

10 Soup On The Rocks (Campbell’s Soup Ad, 1956)

11 Sugar Cube Castle (Holiday Cookies, Sweets, Appetizers And Meals, 1986)

12 Frankfurter Crown With Kraut (34 Selected Recipes For Delicious Dishes And Dinners With Kraut)

13 Stuffed Flank-Steak Roll (Time Life Illustrated Library Of Cooking: Appetizers, Beef, Breads And Rolls, Breakfast Quick Breads, 1969)

14 Piped Clown (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)

15 Lemon Dill Shrimp Mold (Wilton Entertaining Appetizers To Desserts, 1994)

16 Lobster Salad Heligoland (Gourmet’s Old Vienna Cookbook, 1959)

17 Shrimp Tree With Curry Sauce (Great Recipes Of The World)

18 Whole Fish In Aspic (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)

19 Lettuce-Wrapped And Stuffed Fillets Of Fish (Victory Garden Cookbook, 1982)

20 Fruit-Salad Linguine (Better Homes And Gardens Pasta, 1983)

21 Hard Sauce Clowns (How To Have The Most Fun With Cake Mixes)