The Great Boston Molasses Flood

Nearly a hundred years after the Great Boston Molasses Flood, we honor those who fought the good battle with Molasses and lost. And we vow to never again let the sticky substance have power over us.
By: Holly Bryce

The sticky and sickenly sweet aftermath of the Great Boston Molasses Flood.As most of you probably know, today marks the 93 rdanniversary of the Great Boston Molasses Flood. For those of you who somehow managed to neglect this equally bizarre and tragic event in our nation’s history, allow us to elucidate with some help from our friends at Atlas Obscura. On the afternoon of January 15, 1919, a fifty-foot tank of molasses exploded, allowing thousands of gallons of the sugary goo to gush into the city streets, sweeping down everyone and everything in its’ lethal, sticky path. All told, 21 people were killed and some 150 injuries were reported.

Now, nearly a hundred years later we honor those who fought the good battle with Molasses and lost. And we vow to never again let the sticky substance have power over us. Instead, we will arm ourselves with recipes, recipes infused—nay, laden—with our former foe.

And who better to lead the crusade than the President and First Lady?  Molasses is a key ingredient for White House Pastry chef Bill Yosses’ famously addictive Molasses Spice Cookies.  They start off sweet and crunchy but finish with a kick of chewy, ginger spice. Oh snap, Molasses! You’ve been Gingersnapped.  Guess that’s just the way the cookie crumbles.

Hungry for more? Here are a couple more savory recipes to wield against Molasses:  Pulled Pork and Kimchi Sandwich and New Orleans-Style Babyback Beer Ribs.  Not only will both of these recipes rock your world, but you can officially tell Molasses: you’ve been served.

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