Heritage Recipes: bringing genealogy research to life!

How do you embody your genealogy research? Have you adopted the cultural traditions of your ancestors? Do you cook the same foods, wear the same clothes, or celebrate the same holidays? In this article, professional genealogist Jessica Howe shares her family's recipe for peach dumplings and the importance of bringing genealogy to life!

How Food Can Bring Genealogy Research To Life

If you want to familiarize yourself with someone’s cultural heritage, one of the fastest ways to do so is to share a meal together. The combination of tastes, smells, and textures of unfamiliar foods is so important in understanding the care and compassion that goes into fellowshipping with others. I have yet to find a better way to show someone I care than to make them a dish that means something special to me.   

In the South, roadside produce stands are a staple in rural communities. Each year, neighbors set up tiny wooden stands filled with varieties of different tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, and the like. Prices are fair, but negotiation is welcome. During the sweltering summer months, you can expect an abundance of fresh peaches which are made into homemade peach preserves, cobblers, and cakes. My grandmother would always get a small basket of peaches each year and instead of canning them, she would make peach dumplings for us.  

Peach dumplings are incredibly easy and fast to make. The syrup, created by sugar in the peaches and granulated sugar was something out of this world! You can even use canned biscuits if you don’t want to make homemade dumplings (though the traditional method always tastes better).  

This recipe, given to me by my grandmother Marie is at least 80 years old… but likely much older. She made it every summer, and had all the measurements memorized, adding the ingredients by sight and the weight of the bowl alone. This is one of many recipes I hold dear, and I hope you enjoy this unique Southern recipe as much as I do.  

Peach Dumplings Recipe 

Ingredients: 

2 C. granulated sugar 

2 Tbsp. butter  

4 C. hot water 

4-6 C. slice peaches – either fresh or canned 

2 C. all-purpose flour 

4 tsp. baking powder 

1 tsp. salt 

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar – separated from the above 

1 C. whole milk 

Instructions: 

Over medium heat, combine 2 C. sugar, butter, and hot water. Add peaches and bring to a boil.  

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir in milk to make a sticky dough. Using a teaspoon, gently drop small spoonful’s of dough into the boiling fruit mixture. Boil on medium-high heat for 20 minutes. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.  

Do you have a favorite family recipe that brings back memories of relatives long gone, sweet family together time, and those warm feelings of connection? Share them in the comments below, and better yet, prepare that recipe soon and feel the generations grow closer together.

If you'd like some help with your family history research, you can always schedule a consultation with one of our professional genealogists here.