Before the growth of frozen aisles and the emergence of fresh imports as a norm, canned foods were a reliable part of the kitchen. They are assured of long shelf life, easy storage and familiarity. Lots of households used them to take fast meals, side dishes or even a simple lunch. With time, the tastes changed, brands faded, and some products faded away silently. These canned foods were usually the order of the day in cupboards, but nowadays we hardly talk about them. A comparison with them would give an insight into their daily cooking lifestyles in previous decades, where convenience was more important than flavour. The following are some of the old canned foods that people might not recall anymore.
Canned Brown Bread
The canned brown bread was pressed into the tin and steamed. It was commonly cut and heated, and eaten with butter, beans or plain home food.
Canned Chop Suey
This product was a simplified variant of a well-known dish for takeout. It contained vegetables, meat, and sauce, giving the family a fast introduction to the international flavours in the home.
Canned Tamales
Canned tamales were covered in cornmeal and canned and sold to be hearty and convenient. They eliminated the necessity of spending a lot of time preparing a dish, but made a traditional one available.
Canned Welsh Rarebit
This was a cheese sauce that was ready to be warmed and poured on toast. It was a good shortcut to an old-time comfort meal that used to be served at lunches and informal events.
Canned Deviled Ham Spread
This spread was made by mixing ham that has been finely ground ham with seasoning and used on sandwiches or crackers. It was appreciated because of its good taste and long shelf life.
Canned Chinese Noodles
These noodles were sold individually and were usually pre-cooked and shelf-stable as opposed to being served with sauces. They enabled home cooks to make fast-stirred type meals with a lot of little effort.
Canned Mock Chicken Loaf
This loaf was made in the texture of poultry, cut into slices and served cold or warm. It was a sign of a time that was concerned about cost-effective substitutes for fresh meat.
Canned Spaghetti Rings
Pasta in the shape of a tomato sauce was particularly popular among children. Its mischievous architecture and light taste endear it as a popular option for light lunches.
Canned Chicken à la King
This was a creamy chicken, mushroom and pepper mixture that was to be served on top of toast or rice. It introduced the restaurant-style of dining at home.
Canned Potted Meat Food Product
This was a meat spread that was finely blended and was cheap and easily accessible. It was normally consumed on bread or crackers as part of fast food.
Canned Fruit Cocktail with Cherries
Fruit cocktail is a well-loved dessert served at many parties. The bright cherry brought it to a special feeling, even though it has a daily convenience.
