Making T2K food acceptable

[Webstral]

We should take all considerations of spices in context. Simply getting enough to eat is going to be a major consideration for most of the survivors. Of course, in some areas the survivors might have the luxury of considering spices. The spices most commonly used probably would be those which could be gathered, rather than grown.

Webstral

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by Webstral

We should take all considerations of spices in context. Simply getting enough to eat is going to be a major consideration for most of the survivors. Of course, in some areas the survivors might have the luxury of considering spices. The spices most commonly used probably would be those which could be gathered, rather than grown.

Webstral

Agreed. Wild onion is found almost everywhere. Sage is prevelant in the South and Southwest. berries of different types add a nice "spice" to many foods. Wild Honey, fruit, etc can all add necessary vitamins, minerals, and hey, they taste good too!!!

Salt, though, will probably be the first to develop any kind of trade. It has so many uses, relatively portable, low tech extraction from nature. All of these would lead (IMHO) to a salt trade. And I think sooner rather than later.

Mike

[pmulcahy11b]

Pickling would probably also become much more common, to help preserve food longer.

[Gamer]

What makes post apocalyptic food acceptable?
Hunger, I doubt im all by myself in saying that in the field and you've been famished beyond levels of sanity that is enough by itself.

[mikeo80]

Originally Posted by Gamer

What makes post apocalyptic food acceptable?
Hunger, I doubt im all by myself in saying that in the field and you've been famished beyond levels of sanity that is enough by itself.

That goes without saying. If you and your family are hungry, ANYTHING is fair game.

I am looking at this as a non-starvation discussion. There is enough for the table today and tomorrow. As the greedy animals we humans are, we want that food to be a little bit better.

Also, I just got lucky. I managed to bring down a 100+ lb deer. Now I want to make sure that that meat stays eatable. Smoking, of course, is an obvious answer. Salting, jerking, pickling, brining, all have their place at the table. (Pardon the PUN!!)

[pmulcahy11b]

Wasn't there a module where the little kids are put to work catching rats for food?

[Targan]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Wasn't there a module where the little kids are put to work catching rats for food?

Are you sure you're not thinking of Armies of the Night, where the rats are catching little kids for food

[WallShadow]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Wasn't there a module where the little kids are put to work catching rats for food?

I do believe it is AoTN.

I was also struck by the description in the narrative about the flocks of startled pigeons fleeing the large broken windows of buildings . I figured a large net or two draped quietly over the openings, plus a home-made firecracker should bag enough sidewalk squab for eating, putting up as smoked meat in your larder, and trading off on the local market. I bet rats might be corralled and harvested in a similar way.
--Every food store, convenience store, dollar store, and drug store carries some form of spice. After 2 years the ground stuff might be a little stale or flat, but the solid spice (peppercorns, celery seed, cinnamon sticks, whole nutmegs, etc) would be in somewhat better condition.
--I wonder if the adventurers and crew of the USS Constitution replica in the Caribbean would think of hauling various spices, peppers, fruit, and coffee(!) northward to sell at extortionate prices.
--How long before people would start to raid the ice-melt section of the department and DIY stores for halite/rocksalt to use in preserving and cooking?

[Trooper]

Originally Posted by mikeo80

Salt, though, will probably be the first to develop any kind of trade. It has so many uses, relatively portable, low tech extraction from nature. All of these would lead (IMHO) to a salt trade. And I think sooner rather than later.

Only a hundred years ago, salt was an important material which was needed in large quantities. Salt gives taste to foods, but it is also needed for food preservation.

I just started a campaign with new players. We have played a couple of times and the initial plan was Escape from Kalisz, The Black Madonna and then players are likely to go Krakow (with or without icon). I have designed a complete soviet POV camp located in Wielczkan salt mine. If the camp dwellers are liberated- Krakow Ormo will try to get control of the mine. (Krakow is not doing well without the salt.) At this stage, players need more than just military skills.

It all depends on how well they play their cards. If all goes well, they can sell the mine to Bohusz-Szysko and players may lead an entire battalion, equipped with guns obtained from Krakow's armory. It is also possible that the players are forced to flee to the south. Penniless and without equipment.