This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda Pelaccio is investigating the recent donut trend! Tune in to hear some interviews from customers of The Vault in Chicago conducted by correspondent Whitney Henry-Lester. Later, Linda calls up pastry chef and cookbook author George Geary. Recently, George authored the book 150 Best Donut Recipes: Fried or Baked- a comprehensive donut-making guide. Find out why donuts have holes, and how donuts became popular during war times. Learn how to cook all kinds of donuts - fry, bake, cake, and yeast! Hear about the rise of donut franchises like Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme, and why gourmet donuts are becoming fashionable in U.S. cities! This episode has been sponsored by 360 Cookware.

"The only main problem around making donuts at home is that the shelf life is so low versus all of the horrible ingredients that they put in donuts at normal donut shops." [32:40]

-- George Geary on A Taste of the Past

"The kitchen anchors the country's economic, social, and political life." Christine Baumgarthuber revives the dying discipline of home economics on this week's episode of A Taste of the Past. Christine is a writer and blogger for The Austerity Kitchen, and she's talking with Linda Pelaccio about the history of economical cooking. Learn about Juliet Corson, the woman who spread the good word of nutrition and wrote about meals on a budget. Hear how Juliet Corson's writings became political, and ultimately threatened the wages of the working class. How does home ec empower individuals? Listen in to hear Christine and Linda talk about the relationship between home economics education and understanding the food industry. This program has been sponsored by White Oak Pastures.

"I truly believe that revolution does begin at home. What people cook at home can be a model more mindful means of consumption." [21:15]

-- Christin Baumgarthuber on A Taste of the Past

Linda Pelaccio begins today's episode of A Taste of the Past by taking a moment to spread the word about Family-to-Family, a relief organization that allows a group of people to sponsor a family who has been affected by Hurricane Sandy. Thanksgiving has always been accompanied by charitable spirit; check out Family-to-Family, and get involved with the hurricane relief efforts. Today, Linda is speaking with food historian Sandy Oliver about the roots of Thanksgiving! Sandy is also the author of the book Saltwater Foodways, a history of Yankee cooking and New England eating traditions, and the recent Maine Home Cooking. Tune into this episode to learn about the religious considerations of Thanksgiving, and how it came to be a national holiday. What foods were most likely on the table during the first harvest feast? Sandy and Linda share some dishes that you may not recognize! Hear about the history of Thanksgiving commercialism! This program has been sponsored by Rolling Press.

"Most of us don't recognize mincemeat for the preserve that it is. It is a way of preserving meat along with apples and other kinds of fruits. It also was convenience food." [14:05]

-- Sandy Oliver on A Taste of the Past