Akron Family Recipes: History and Traditions from Sauerkraut Balls to Sweet Potato Pie

by Judy Orr James

Compiling more than 100 family recipes, founder of the Akron Recipe Project Judy Orr James serves up a history of home cooking in the Rubber City. From the city's founding in 1825 through the years following World War II, numerous ethnic and cultural groups made Akron home. With each new arrival, the city's food changed and deepened to delicious effect. Polish immigrants brought pierogi to the area, and Jews introduced Old World favorites like kugel and hamantaschen. African Americans seeking a better life in the North enriched the Akron palate with the unique and southern-inspired dishes of their ancestors. Last but not least, there is the sauerkraut ball, Akron's official food and favorite snack served at local restaurants, cocktail parties, holiday celebrations, and game day gatherings.

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2022

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book, which I read more for the history of the people in Akron, OH, than I did for the recipes. It was fascinating to read about the different ancestry groups, especially German, Irish, and Appalachian, and to learn about how and when they came, where [in the area] they lived, their church life, as well as learn about specific contributors and their recipes.

At the end of the book is a chapter on Sauerkraut Balls and their history - it's an Akron thing, but you'll have to read the book to learn more!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

James is able to transport the reader back in time by combining personal stories of Akron in the past along with family recipes. Anyone from an immigrant background will identify with these stories of communities gathering to remember their shared traditions in a new environment. Can't wait to try some of these recipes!