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From Our Stove to Yours
Punta Gorda's Centennial Cook Book
                  - For Sale -

The new, 130-year anniversary edition of “From Our Stove to Yours,” has just been published and is available now through the Punta Gorda Historical Society.  The small print run is selling quickly so we wanted our members to have a chance to buy copies before they run out. 

 “From Our Stove to Yours,” is not just a cookbook; it is a delightful culinary history covering what Punta Gordans liked to eat and how they have prepared their food over the last 130 years in the style of the south, for sure, but more importantly in a very local style – a Punta Gorda style.  

 In addition to the recipes, the book has section dividers enhanced with drawings of historic local churches and buildings and bits of local history.  Handed down through generations, many of the recipes are American classics with twists, but many more are unique to this region of Florida, full of the ingredients that were plentiful here: guava, oysters, swamp cabbage, shrimp, crab, mullet, coconut, tomatoes, pineapple and mango.

Originally conceived to commemorate Punta Gorda’s centennial thirty years ago, the includes contributions from many of “Old” Punta Gorda families like the Wotitzkys, the Quednaus, the Croslands, the Monsons, the McQueens, the McCulloughs, the Peeples, the Smoaks, the Corbetts, the Lowes, the Desguins, the Hindmans, the McCanns, the Parnells and many others.

The new edition also has lots of new recipes provided by today’s Punta Gordans like Mayor Rachel Keesling’s Lobster Mac ‘N Cheese, Council Woman Nancy Prafke’s BLT Dip, Dr. Martha Bireda’s Chicken Casserole, Stacy Jones’ Granny Wanda Cake (a handed-down recipe that is a Punta Gorda favorite) and many more.  “It’s fun just to read some of the recipes from people you know today or remember from years gone by,” Gussie Baker, Cookbook Compiler and Editor notes. 
 “One lady told me she was going to give it as a Christmas gift along with a new baking pan containing a dish prepared from a recipe in the book.” 

Copies of “From Our Stove to Yours” are available now for $20 at the Punta Gorda Woman’s Club Building, 118 Sullivan St. (941) 639-1887, during open hours, and also at the Outdoor Market at the History Park on Sunday. 

The proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Punta Gorda Historical Society.