Jim Cunningham

I remember some of Mom’s favorite dinners. She was born one hundred years ago in Pittsburgh to Irish immigrants, and we often ate boiled ham and boiled cabbage and boiled potatoes.

Often a Sunday dinner was a beef chuck roast, cooked a bit too long, with more potatoes, of course. Not always my favorite or most memorable meals, but filling and good eating for a family of seven.

Aah, but the magic happened the next day!

Mom would open the kitchen drawer next to the sink and pull out the battleship-grey No. 5 EVEREADY TRADEMARK REG. FOOD CHOPPER. Clamping it to a kitchen chair, leftover chunks of ham, pickles and other secret ingredients were converted to ham salad and days of glorious sandwiches on white Wonder Bread for school lunches.

Monday after the roast beef dinner, we would be served a delicious hash of beef, potatoes, carrots, and other assorted leftovers.

I remember these leftover dishes more fondly than the original meals. Thanks, Mom!

The meat grinder today looks the same as I remember it years ago. Worn out grey, the feel of metal, worn wooden handle, and yes, I remember washing it and drying it occasionally after it worked its magic.