Useful Carrot Pomade

carrot pomade

(from Godey's Ladies Magazine, edited by L.A. Godey, Sarah J. Hale, 1862)

Ingredients:

2 lbs. fresh lard​

1 pint water​

7 - 8 carrots​

perfume​

Instructions:

Put two pounds of fresh lard in a vessel with a pint of water, let it come to a simmer; then add seven or eight grated carrots, let it stand on the back of the range and simmer for five or six hours, turn it out, and let it stand all night; then in the morning melt and strain it into the jars. Perfume it with what you fancy.​

Put on your improbably fashionable apron, said the magazine and cook this up, one supposes, from the recipe section of the same magazine. Love to know if anyone accomplished either?

From Godey's Lady's Magazine, 1861, this ' receipt ', recipe, nearly went under my radar. Carrots, lard, simmer, strain..... and scent?

Goodness! You put it on your hair.

Before anyone else gets there, I'll sacrifice myself. Gives a whole, different meaning to the term ' carrot top '.

 

[donna]

What a beautiful apron. I can't imagine wearing that while cooking.

 

[Belle Montgomery]

What a beautiful apron. I can't imagine wearing that while cooking.

With all those frills I hope it was "flame-retardant"

 

[mofederal]

I wouldn't suggest wearing that apron anywhere near a heat source. It would truly go up in smoke. Lard the wonder food, and they are only suggesting using two pounds of it. A really odd recipe.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Yes, not an apron girl, although remember they were still a ' thing ' when I was little. Seem to remember an ill fated Home Ec project my mother finally finished. These fashionable aprons must have been decorative only, or maybe to save everyday stains on one's much larger garment?

Here on the forum we see members sometimes trying out era recipes- have a feeling this one is destined to remain a mystery. Lard in your hair, probably orange lard? Makes me itchy just thinking about it, and a little nauseous.

 

[donna]

Both my Grandmas always wore apron. They even had them on while doing housework and washing clothes. Just a part of their everyday dress.

 

[AnnaLee]

I was in 4-H when I was around 12 and sewed hems on tea towels and made an apron. These items were entered in our local Ohio fair. My mother and I do not use aprons but a few of my aunts did.

 

[Mrs. V]

Oh. I remember the "fancy" aprons my Mom wore. Mostly when they were entertaining, so that you could get from oven to table without splashing your cocktail dress. Then there were the all purpose aprons that my Grandmother had. They fit over the entire bodice of the dress and were of "serviceable" cotton. All very faded pretty prints!

 

[MRB1863]

Grandmother mostly always wore an apron, except to church. She kept an embroidered hankerchief in the pocket and a few safety pins at hand on the apron. They were usually a petite floral print, but very plain in design compared to the one at the top of the thread.

 

[Mrs. V]

*looks around sheepishly* I have to admit when I first saw this thread I thought it was talking about carrot cake..I suppose if you put the pomade on thick enough? And, as my son asked, what perfume would you use to compliment "carrot" as a scent? And did horses and rabbits fall in love with you as you walked by??