30 Hilariously Bizarre Vintage Food Pics That Prove People’s Creativity Had No Limits Back Then

Peculiarfoodtrends have been around for decades now. Some of them were even published in cookbooks and magazines of yesteryears, which you’ll see in today’s post.We’ve collected a few photos of these dishes from two Instagram accounts:Vintage Food PhotographyandCursed Cookbooks. You will find sweet treats with faces, oddly shaped sandwiches, and a mixture of flavors that may raise some eyebrows in puzzlement.Scroll through these images and enjoy the amusingly weird part of the internet.This post may includeaffiliate links.

Peculiarfoodtrends have been around for decades now. Some of them were even published in cookbooks and magazines of yesteryears, which you’ll see in today’s post.

We’ve collected a few photos of these dishes from two Instagram accounts:Vintage Food PhotographyandCursed Cookbooks. You will find sweet treats with faces, oddly shaped sandwiches, and a mixture of flavors that may raise some eyebrows in puzzlement.

Scroll through these images and enjoy the amusingly weird part of the internet.

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

According toBon Appetit, weird food trends have existed since the 1920s, during Prohibition. People’s dining habits shifted, resulting in unconventional combinations.“Fruit cocktails garnished with marshmallows or sprinkled with powdered sugar came into vogue, though not as a dessert. They replaced oysters on the half shell served withChampagneas the dinner party opener.”

According toBon Appetit, weird food trends have existed since the 1920s, during Prohibition. People’s dining habits shifted, resulting in unconventional combinations.

“Fruit cocktails garnished with marshmallows or sprinkled with powdered sugar came into vogue, though not as a dessert. They replaced oysters on the half shell served withChampagneas the dinner party opener.”

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

Two decades later, when the Great Depression and World War II occurred, the focus shifted to processed meat. And it birthed one of the most famous brands to date.“Enter SPAM. The canned meat product became a staple of soldiers’ diets and caught on among civilians, both as a buffet option (fruit cocktail-SPAM loaf please!) and eventual punchline.”

Two decades later, when the Great Depression and World War II occurred, the focus shifted to processed meat. And it birthed one of the most famous brands to date.

“Enter SPAM. The canned meat product became a staple of soldiers’ diets and caught on among civilians, both as a buffet option (fruit cocktail-SPAM loaf please!) and eventual punchline.”

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

Nowadays,casserolesare a common sight at dinner. But in the 1950s, they were consideredout of the ordinarybecause of the hodgepodge of processed ingredients, such as canned tuna and tater tots.“The end result often takes on the characteristics of glue and mush, yet this comfort food starred at picnics, family reunions, and church receptions. Still does, in fact.”

Nowadays,casserolesare a common sight at dinner. But in the 1950s, they were consideredout of the ordinarybecause of the hodgepodge of processed ingredients, such as canned tuna and tater tots.

“The end result often takes on the characteristics of glue and mush, yet this comfort food starred at picnics, family reunions, and church receptions. Still does, in fact.”

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

Instant meals were the new trend in the 1960s. This was the decade of freeze-dried coffee, powdered cheese, and instant mashed potatoes, to name a few.“The introduction of Easy Cheese, Bac-Os bacon bits and Cool Whip cemented these science project foods’ (some of which we still turn to every day) foothold in society.”

Instant meals were the new trend in the 1960s. This was the decade of freeze-dried coffee, powdered cheese, and instant mashed potatoes, to name a few.

“The introduction of Easy Cheese, Bac-Os bacon bits and Cool Whip cemented these science project foods’ (some of which we still turn to every day) foothold in society.”

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

Fondue is another treat that usually appears at large,fancy gatherings. But in the ’70s, people had some difficulty understanding the concept and making it work.“Concerns of double dipping, spillage and the communal hot pot turning into a petri dish of germs all raised red flags. Then aCanadian design companydecided to market the same concept, except as a chocolate fountain, making it all but impossible for one to dip his banana into the waterfall without staining his shirt.”

Fondue is another treat that usually appears at large,fancy gatherings. But in the ’70s, people had some difficulty understanding the concept and making it work.

“Concerns of double dipping, spillage and the communal hot pot turning into a petri dish of germs all raised red flags. Then aCanadian design companydecided to market the same concept, except as a chocolate fountain, making it all but impossible for one to dip his banana into the waterfall without staining his shirt.”

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

The 1990s were all about thefat-free food boom, as people became more conscious about their weight. Snacks, including popular potato chip brands, had a “healthier” option.Manufacturers usedOlestra, a fat substitute that was devoid of calories. Despite someunpleasant side effects, the FDA still considers it alegal food additive.

The 1990s were all about thefat-free food boom, as people became more conscious about their weight. Snacks, including popular potato chip brands, had a “healthier” option.

Manufacturers usedOlestra, a fat substitute that was devoid of calories. Despite someunpleasant side effects, the FDA still considers it alegal food additive.

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

As these trends began to normalize, the 2010s were once again an era of unusual food pairings. It ushered inbacon-wrapped dishes, which included gumballs, chocolate bars, maple cupcakes, and lollipops.

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography

Current food trendsare generally less outrageous than those of previous decades, at least for now.Pinsa, which many deem a healthier alternative to pizza, is made from a combination of soy, wheat flour, and rice.And while it is a century-old cooking tradition, it is only growing in popularity in the 2020s.

And while it is a century-old cooking tradition, it is only growing in popularity in the 2020s.

Vintage-Recipes-Food-Photography