Mulligan Stew

[donna]

Mulligan stew was dish prepared by hobos (homeless men ) in the early 1900s. It was also know as community stew. It was made at "hobo jungles / camps". Mulligan is also a term for any Irishman, thus the stew is also known as Irish stew. It consists of meat, potatoes and vegetables and any other foods that they added to it.

During the Depression years men stayed in a campsite known as an "hobo jungle. They would have campfire and a pot and all would contribute to pot to make their meals.

Mulligan Stew

One tablespoon of shortening, one pound of stew beef, one teaspoon of salt, ten ounces of tomato soup, two cans of water, three carrots, three potatoes, and two onions.

Recipe from:

"Old Time Recipes To Enjoy", "The Kentucky Explorer Magazine", March, 2018.

 

[donna]

With the picture of homeless man and questions about term Hobo, thought bump this stew made by Hobos in their camps in early 1900s.

 

[Michael W.]

With the picture of homeless man and questions about term Hobo, thought bump this stew made by Hobos in their camps in early 1900s.

So Mulligan stew was basically beef vegetable soup?

 

[Eleanor Rose]

During the Depression years men stayed in a campsite known as an "hobo jungle. They would have campfire and a pot and all would contribute to pot to make their meals.

Thanks for bumping this thread Donna! Thought I'd share the pic of a "hobo jungle" to go along with it.

Men sharing a meal at a hobo jungle in 1895. (Via the Hobo Museum)​

 

[Michael W.]

Thanks for bumping this thread Donna! Thought I'd share the pic of a "hobo jungle" to go along with it.

View attachment 338834
Men sharing a meal at a hobo jungle in 1895. (Via the Hobo Museum)​

You know what is sad? The "hobos" here are dressed much more elegantly than today's society...

 

[donna]

They all have their hats. Wonder if this was a tradition or protect from elements.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

You know what is sad? The "hobos" here are dressed much more elegantly than today's society...

I noticed that too Michael. And it does indeed add to the sadness of the whole situation.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

They all have their hats. Wonder if this was a tradition or protect from elements.

Hat-wearing was at its peak from the late 19th century until the end of the 1930s. I read that a hatless young President John F. Kennedy has been credited with hastening the demise of hat-wearing among men.

 

[FedericoFCavada]

The earliest type of Irish stew was made from mutton, onions, praties--the "lumber potato of famine infamy" salt and water. Full stop.

That's it. Carrots and vegetables came much later. I suspect that once upon a time it was merely mutton, salt, onions, and turnips.

Incidentally, there is a lowland Scottish concoction, which is a bit similar, called "stovies" after the Spanish word estofado meaning "stew."