How to Make Mincemeat Mincemeat–commonly thought of as a traditional Thanksgiving dish–actually traces its roots back to Medieval times, when preparing meat with fruit and spices was one form of preservation. Early New Englanders would make large batches of mincemeat and store it in crocks sealed with a layer of lard for use over many months. Two Mincemeat Recipes: One Vintage, One for Modern Cooks Most modern versions no longer include meat, but here is an early New England receipt (or recipe), originally published in 1832 in Lydia Maria Child’s American Frugal Housewife and provided for reprint by Old Sturbridge … Continue reading How to Make Old Style Mincemeat