47Kviews
Food
Interview With Owner
ADVERTIsem*nT
Whoever said you can't time travel clearly has not stumbled upon Jess's Instagram page, "Weird Old Food." With a hefty collection of vintage cookbooks at her fingertips, Jess takes us way back, serving up photos of rather interesting recipes that might make you go, "Wait, people actually ate that?"
The charm of "Weird Old Food" lies in the mystery, with Jess sharing just enough to keep her followers intrigued and staying tuned for more. Each post reveals a scanned snapshot of a dish from the vintage cookbooks she owns, and the bare essentials—just the name of the dish, the year, and the cookbook it's pulled from. However, looking past all that, this page isn't just about the food itself, rather it’s a collection of the strange and quirky culinary trends of the past.
Also, don't forget to scroll down and check out an interview with Jess, the owner of the 'Weird Old Food' page!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Shrimp Cucumber Aspic (Southern Living 1983 Annual Recipes)
POST
SCamp SCamp Community Member Follow
🤢 anything aspic, oh god
Vote comment up
51points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Bored Panda reached out to Jess, the curator of the "Weird Old Food" Instagram page. As you might've guessed, Jess's unique hobby involves exploring vintage cookbooks and sharing particularly unusual or intriguing recipes with her audience. When asked about how her interest in vintage cookbooks began, Jess shared, "I have always loved paging through cookbooks. I was very interested in vintage illustrations and I began collecting vintage cookbooks that had beautiful mid-century line illustrations. Now I collect any books from 1990 or earlier." The oldest books in her collection date back to the late 1800s.
#2
Salmon In Bladder Of Pork (Loving French Cuisine, 1995)
POST
Mavis Mavis Community Member Follow
Early footballs were made from inflated pigs bladder. Why you would want to cook your dinner in one I have no idea.
Vote comment up
33points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3
Ham Buffet Mold (Campbell’s Great Restaurant Cookbook, U.s.a.)
POST
Mavis Mavis Community Member Follow
Where's the ham?
Vote comment up
32points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Regarding a recipe that genuinely surprised her, she revealed a peculiar one, 'Salmon in Bladder of Pork' (also mentioned in the post) from the book 'Loving French Cuisine, 1995'. She commented, "It’s from the nineties, which is very modern for my collection, but the photography is horrifying. It looks so anatomical."
#4
Rice And Salmon Mould (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)
POST
Bibmibap Bibmibap Community Member Follow
🤢🤢🤢🤢
Vote comment up
39points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5
Ducklings Afloat On A Pond Cake (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)
POST
Bibmibap Bibmibap Community Member Follow
This one's cute.
Vote comment up
215points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
The most challenging dishes in her collection, she explained, come from classic French cuisine. She mentioned recipes such as "Galantine of Duck" from "Classic French Cooking, 1971", and "Chicken in Chaud-Froid Sauce" from "The Creative Cooking Course, 1975", admitting, "As a home chef I wouldn’t ever attempt those... I don’t see myself ever attempting chaud-froid sauce."
#6
Molded Egg Salad (Betty Crocker’s Smart Cook, 1988)
POST
SCamp SCamp Community Member Follow
What in the 7 hells?!
Vote comment up
32points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7
Spaghetti Ring Florentine (Better Homes And Gardens 1988 Best-Recipes Yearbook)
POST
SCamp SCamp Community Member Follow
What?? But why?
Vote comment up
24points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Discussing her process for selecting which recipe to feature next on "Weird Old Food", Jess noted, "My process is very casual. When I’m looking through my collection and I see something odd or interesting I take a photo of it... My photo library looks wild- old cookbook pictures, cat pictures, and pictures of my niece and nephew. It’s mostly food pics though." She picks something that amuses her at that moment, demonstrating a light-hearted and spontaneous approach to her unique hobby.
#8
Chutney Aspic (Trader Vic’s Pacific Island Cookbook, 1968)
POST
ChexmyLicks/egg ChexmyLicks/egg Community Member Follow
what in the maleficent diarrhea is this
Vote comment up
44points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
#9
Shrimps In Aspic (Grand Diplome Cooking Course, Volume 8, 1972)
POST
David Paterson David Paterson Community Member Follow
There had to be an "aspic" one, didn't there.
Vote comment up
17points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10
Soup On The Rocks (Campbell’s Soup Ad, 1956)
POST
Raven Sheridan Raven Sheridan Community Member Follow
🤮
Vote comment up
31points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
#11
Sugar Cube Castle (Holiday Cookies, Sweets, Appetizers And Meals, 1986)
POST
David Paterson David Paterson Community Member Follow
That'd be fun. How many battalions do you intend to serve with that?
Vote comment up
29points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12
Frankfurter Crown With Kraut (34 Selected Recipes For Delicious Dishes And Dinners With Kraut)
POST
David Paterson David Paterson Community Member Follow
Frankfurts and sauerkraut. Could you get more basic.
Vote comment up
18points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13
Stuffed Flank-Steak Roll (Time Life Illustrated Library Of Cooking: Appetizers, Beef, Breads And Rolls, Breakfast Quick Breads, 1969)
POST
Hippopotamuses Hippopotamuses Community Member Follow
I had a nightmare, where I was being chased (very slowly) by one of these.
Vote comment up
41points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14
Piped Clown (The Wilton Way Of Cake Decorating, 1979)
POST
Mavis Mavis Community Member Follow
At least put some pants on.
Vote comment up
41points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15
Lemon Dill Shrimp Mold (Wilton Entertaining Appetizers To Desserts, 1994)
POST
Bibmibap Bibmibap Community Member Follow
I might eat this despite its looks. All listed ingredients are some of my faves.
Vote comment up
50points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16
Lobster Salad Heligoland (Gourmet’s Old Vienna Cookbook, 1959)
POST
Tiny Dancer Tiny Dancer Community Member Follow
We're gonna need a banana here, people. Either those are teeny tiny lobsters or the rest of the meal is gigantic!
Vote comment up
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17
Shrimp Tree With Curry Sauce (Great Recipes Of The World)
POST
coppertopped panda coppertopped panda Community Member Follow
It looks dumb, but I would definitely try it.
Vote comment up
42points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18
Whole Fish In Aspic (Gelatine Home Cooking Secrets, 1975)
POST
JoMeBee JoMeBee Community Member Follow
WtF is aspic and what's the obsession with embalmed fish?!?
Vote comment up
37points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19
Lettuce-Wrapped And Stuffed Fillets Of Fish (Victory Garden Cookbook, 1982)
POST
Themoonprincess Themoonprincess Community Member Follow
Looks like linen wrapped mummy
Vote comment up
33points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20
Fruit-Salad Linguine (Better Homes And Gardens Pasta, 1983)
POST
Annik Perrot Annik Perrot Community Member Follow
Nope!
Vote comment up
21points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
19 Haunting Pictures That Showcase How The Most Beautiful Places Can Change After Being Abandoned
Mom Demands Her Whole Family Be Upgraded To First Class, Forcing 13-Year-Old To Give Up His Seat, But Gets Deplaned Instead
#21
Rag Doll Cake (The Wilton Yearbook Of Cake Decorating, 1978)
POST
rs_adahl1971 rs_adahl1971 Community Member Follow
The tree is much better
Vote comment up
31points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22
Sea Dream (Joys Of Jello, 1963)
POST
elijo sintetico elijo sintetico Community Member Follow
Sea nightmare
Vote comment up
26points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23
Brain Salad With Cream Dressing (The Good Cook Salads, 1980)
POST
Ample Aardvark Ample Aardvark Community Member
My mum actually like boiled cow brains. Nothing like coming back from school and see a brain in a pyrex bowl in the fridge. No wonder old horror movies never scared me.
Vote comment up
34points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24
Golden Gate Saucy Burgers With Spaghetti Topping (Family Circle Illustrated Library Of Cooking Volume 3, 1972)
POST
rs_adahl1971 rs_adahl1971 Community Member Follow
How are you even supposed to eat that thing?
Vote comment up
25points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25
Cold Glazed Salmon (Gourmet Magazine, 1964)
POST
Mavis Mavis Community Member Follow
Dali would be proud of this.
Vote comment up
16points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26
Hard Sauce Clowns (How To Have The Most Fun With Cake Mixes)
POST
Binx Binx Community Member Follow
What's with SOOO many scary clown cakes??
Vote comment up
29points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27
Summer Day Salad (Holiday Cooking For Kids, 1982)
POST
Brittania Kelli Brittania Kelli Community Member Follow
Because nothing says summer like frozen veggies in mayonnaise.
Vote comment up
51points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28
Noodle Ring (The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook, 1980)
POST
Hippopotamuses Hippopotamuses Community Member Follow
Couldn’t they find the aspic that day?
Vote comment up
50points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29
Fun At The Fair Cake (Wilton Yearbook 1977 Cake Decorating)
POST
Brittania Kelli Brittania Kelli Community Member Follow
Why were these cake people so obsessed with clowns? I get serious Gacy vibes from these cakes.
Vote comment up
62points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30
Clown Cake (1989 Wilton Yearbook Cake Decorating!)
POST
SCamp SCamp Community Member Follow
That should be Klown. It’s evil
Vote comment up
24points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Note: this post originally had 99 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
ADVERTIsem*nT
See Also on Bored Panda
6 Y.O. “Realizes Something Isn’t Adding Up” With Great-Grandparents Living Wealthy On Ordinary Jobs
Parents Demand 18-Year-Old Son Start Acting Like An Adult, He Goes No-Contact And Offers To Sell Parents His Forgiveness 16 Years Later
Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!
Follow Bored Panda on Google News!
Modal close
Add New Image
Modal close 
Not your original work? Add source
Publish
//=__('About the author', 'boredpanda')?>
Diana Lopetaitė
Follow
Diana Lopetaitė
Moderator, BoredPanda staff
Hey there, Pandas! My name is Diana (though some prefer to refer to me as Diane, Deanna, and even Liana sometimes), and I am a Community Post Moderator Lead for Bored Panda.
As my position title states, I am one of the people (employed Pandas for bamboo) over here who work with the community side of things on this website to ensure all is well, and while at that, I also help various creators and artists get recognition for the incredible work they do by connecting them to a large worldwide audience.
Other than that, outside of work, you can find me brewing a nice cup of coffee, making a pizza from scratch, or baking brownies. I also love traveling, concerts, and cats (heavy on that, because I am a cat mom).
Read more »
//=__('About the author', 'boredpanda')?>
Austėja Akavickaitė
Follow
Austėja Akavickaitė
Author, Community member
Austėja is a Photo Editor at Bored Panda with a BA in Photography.
Read more »
Show All Contributors
You May Like
Karina Babenok
Donata Leskauskaite
Donata Leskauskaite
Popular on Bored Panda
Add your comment
POST
Depressed Owl Depressed Owl Community Member Follow
A lot of these did not deserve to be on this list.
Vote comment up
20points
Vote comment down
reply
JoMeBee JoMeBee Community Member Follow
Agreed, The cakes are fugly but wouldn't taste bad. Now the fish/jello pairings on the other hand.. 🤢
Vote comment up
15points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Mavis Mavis Community Member Follow
I have to say the skill involved with the Wilton cakes is very impressive.
Vote comment up
13points
Vote comment down
reply
Corvus Corvus Community Member Follow
Most of these aren't bad at all, just unusual (from a modern perspective). In fact, we've probably eaten something like the shown foods when we were kids (I know for sure we had quite a few jelly-based desserts at home). I'd love to sample many of these dishes.
Vote comment up
8points
Vote comment down
reply
Šimon Špaček Šimon Špaček Community Member Follow
Yes. And gelatine or aspic is great thing for your hair, nails, skin and joints. That reminds me that I should get some pork skins and make something amazing once again.
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
POST
Depressed Owl Depressed Owl Community Member Follow
A lot of these did not deserve to be on this list.
Vote comment up
20points
Vote comment down
reply
JoMeBee JoMeBee Community Member Follow
Agreed, The cakes are fugly but wouldn't taste bad. Now the fish/jello pairings on the other hand.. 🤢
Vote comment up
15points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Mavis Mavis Community Member Follow
I have to say the skill involved with the Wilton cakes is very impressive.
Vote comment up
13points
Vote comment down
reply
Corvus Corvus Community Member Follow
Most of these aren't bad at all, just unusual (from a modern perspective). In fact, we've probably eaten something like the shown foods when we were kids (I know for sure we had quite a few jelly-based desserts at home). I'd love to sample many of these dishes.
Vote comment up
8points
Vote comment down
reply
Šimon Špaček Šimon Špaček Community Member Follow
Yes. And gelatine or aspic is great thing for your hair, nails, skin and joints. That reminds me that I should get some pork skins and make something amazing once again.
Vote comment up
1point
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
Load More Comments
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Newsletter
Stay Tuned to Your Favorite Categories
More categories Subscription arrow right
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Also on Bored Panda
