hobo stew
Drifter's communal pot
Hobo stew is a simple, hearty dish made by combining whatever ingredients are available—typically canned vegetables, beans, and cheap cuts of meat cooked together in one pot.
The name evokes Depression-era resourcefulness, when itinerant workers made communal meals from pooled scraps.
The dish remains popular in camping and outdoor cooking: We threw together a hobo stew over the campfire.
Communal meal, shared contributions
- sharingDividing among others
- campfire circleSeated ring around flames
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
- camaraderieGoodwill among companions
gathering · cooperative · togetherness · community · collective · mulligan · jungle camp · rail yard
Obtained through foraging
- foragedSought wild food
- cobbled-togetherAssembled from random parts
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
thrown-together · ad-hoc · patchwork · leftovers · scavenged · jury-rigged · rough-and-ready · spartan
Large vessel for braising
- campfireOutdoor fire for gathering
- simmerCook just under boiling
- ladleDeep spoon for serving
- tin canSealed metal food container
open flame · dutch oven · slow-cooked · bubbling · stirring
Edible underground tubers
- onionsPungent layered cooking bulbs
- carrotsEdible orange taproots
- beansEdible pod seeds
- cabbageLeafy vegetable head
tomatoes · celery · turnips · meat scraps · broth · peas · cornmeal · lard
potluck
Communal meal, shared contributions
- sharingDividing among others
- campfire circleSeated ring around flames
- fellowshipMutual goodwill among companions
camaraderie · gathering · cooperative · togetherness · community · collective · mulligan · jungle camp · rail yard · transient
scrounged
Obtained through foraging
- foragedSought wild food
- cobbled-togetherAssembled from random parts
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
resourceful · thrown-together · ad-hoc · patchwork · leftovers · scavenged · jury-rigged · rough-and-ready · spartan · catch-as-catch-can
stewpot
Large vessel for braising
tin can · open flame · dutch oven · slow-cooked · bubbling · stirring
potatoes
Edible underground tubers
cabbage · tomatoes · celery · turnips · meat scraps · broth · peas · cornmeal · lard · salt pork
nourishing
Promoting health through food
- fillingMaterial placed within
- satisfyingProducing fulfillment or pleasure
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
comforting · rustic · wholesome · robust · savory · chunky · steaming · rich · homemade · substantial
- stewsragout, beef ragout, goulash, cassoulet, fricassee
- Depression foodbread pudding, cornbread, grits, meatloaf, oatmeal
hobo stewhaute cuisine
Elevated culinary artistry
fine dining · gourmet meal · molecular gastronomy · coq au vin · beef bourguignon
hobo stewcaviar
Cured fish eggs
lobster thermidor · foie gras · beluga caviar · Dom Pérignon · oysters Rockefeller