The Story Behind the Story

Since I write the recipe column for The Times each week, my mind was naturally drawn to those people that prepared meals for the harvest crews of years past. I found myself slightly stressed for them as I wondered how they accomplished such a huge task.

I talked to several ladies and their children (my age) about memories, food, and accomplishments during harvests of the past. I wish I could have spoken to many more, but when I was done, I was satisfied to know that, as the many generations before them and after them, they simply did what needed to be done, wit...