The spice flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and ground cloves add zest to these delightful cookies. They are especially suited to the Fall holiday months when pumpkin pies, apples, and gingerbread seem to dominate the culinary scene.
How the Ancient World Obtained Spices
Plant species began to be utilized for their medicinal, flavoring and preservation qualities thousands of years before Christ. The Far East, mainly China and India, developed trade on an overland course known as the Spice Route. Even in Hebrew Scriptures, there are many references to known spices.
In the Middle East, cities developed due to the spice trade and eventually some spices were grown in areas on the east coast of Africa and especially Zanzibar, which became known as the Spice Island. Merchants traded goods for the much-desired seasonings and the flavorings made their way to European markets where there was great demand.
Marco Polo, traveling from Venice to China in the 13th century, brought back unusual spices in addition to his accounts of the Chinese society. For centuries, the city-state of Venice was the European headquarters of the spice trade and many merchants there became rich because of it.
As explorers traveled the globe, among their aims was to find new spices or new places where they were grown. When Columbus voyaged to the New World, he came back with new species of plants and spices. At the time, wealth was counted not only in precious metals, but also in the valuable accumulation and sale of spices.
Spices and Our Senses
Today, people in every culture enjoy using spices to flavor their food. Different countries use distinctive spices but with the global interest in sampling various cuisines, more utilization of spices can be found. The spice section in a typical food store holds flavors from around the world. A spice bazaar in Istanbul, for example, offers visual beauty as well as aromatic pleasure.
Distinct aromas from various spices can bring comfort, reminding us of a particular event. Our memories are triggered by a certain smell. Thus, cinnamon may bring to mind the cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on toast when we were young and served the treat. Many of the spice smells associated with the cookie recipe below are among those with clearly distinct aromas. They are especially pungent and easily identified.
Today, aromatherapy is a popular addition to alternative medicine and a relaxation stimulus in spa treatments. Hints of spices bring a feeling of well being to clients. The aromas have given comfort throughout the ages.
Spice Cookie Recipe
- 3 cups of flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup margarine
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup dark corn syrup
Directions
- Mix flour and spices. Set aside.
- Mix softened margarine with sugar, add corn syrup.
- Add to flour mixture and mix well.
- Roll out 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured board.
- Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
- Place on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake at 350° for about 10 minutes.
- Decorate with icing if desired.
- Makes 8 dozen 2” cookies.
The aroma will fill your home with delightful smells and the crisp delicious cookies will fill your family and friends with delightful flavors. And the cookies make an attractive and unusual place card with the added reward of eating it, too.
Ethel Brodie - Intrigued by the world, encouraged to write my observations, published in newspapers and magazines, and sharing special places.
