Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen - Scott Cunningham 1990

Vegetables & Side Dishes
Scott’s favorite recipes

The following recipe is actually a simplified version of an even more complex food ritual in which several charms were baked into a special Halloween cake. This was then served to unmarried, young men and women. The type of charm that each received determined that person’s future: a coin, wealth; a horseshoe, good luck; a thimble, spinsterhood; a button, bachelordom; a wishbone, the heart’s desire. This custom hasn’t yet completely disappeared. In this much simpler version, we use mashed potatoes.

Charmed Potatoes

1 coin or charm

5 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 teaspoon of salt

Water to cover potatoes

1⁄4 cup butter, melted

1⁄3 cup milk, warm

1 tablespoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

Boil the charm. Let cool, and if you wish, wrap it in waxed paper. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain. Warm milk slowly in a saucepan. In a large bowl, mash potatoes until fluffy and free of lumps, slowly adding butter and milk. Add salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the potatoes in a serving bowl. Secretly insert the charm somewhere in the potatoes. The person who receives the charm will be quite lucky for the next month.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

Magical uses: Festival food—Halloween/Samhain.

Hearts of Artichoke Pie

Did you know that artichokes are thistles? The famous Scottish flower is in the same family. The following delicious recipe, which resembles a quiche, takes advantage of both the artichoke and the onions’ protective natures.

1 can (141⁄2 ounces) artichoke hearts

1 large onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

6 eggs

1⁄3 cup light cream

1⁄2 pound Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese, grated

salt

pepper

1 pie shell, 9 inch

Drain and chop artichoke hearts, reserving liquid. Sauté the onion in butter and reserved liquid. Set aside. Whisk together the eggs and light cream. Add the artichokes, grated cheese, and onion mixture. Add a dash of salt and pepper. Pour into pie shell. Bake for 40 minutes at 350°F (177° C).

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Magical uses: Protection.