Hobo Pies

So this is one of my husband’s fondest of memories– hobo pies— made by his maternal grandmother during summer months in preparation for weekends at the river or at the lake– enough for everyone– aunts, uncles, grandkids, friends– and extra hobo pies made up for second helpings.   

So when we got together, this was one of the meals he introduced me to, but it was a hamburger patty, sliced onions, potato slices, and salt & pepper; then ketchup drizzled all over it when out of the oven.  They would, as he has told me, throw these in the fire wrapped in aluminum foil for 45 minutes, while the hotdogs would be roasting on sticks– an “appetizer” before the hobo pies were cooked.  A practical woman she has been, and you have to be if you’re going to feed a family– That’s called being smart. 

In my husband’s words:  “We’d sit around the fire in lawn chairs as Grandpa would toss the hobo pies into the coals of the fire.  Sometimes we’d roast a hotdog on a fork; on the occasions that we’d forget them, we’d cut a stick off a bush on the sandbar, peel them, char the tips and roast the dogs on them while we waited for the hobo pies to finish.  No need for plates as we ate them right out of the aluminum foil.  Afterwards we’d roast some marshmallows and relax.  The fire would keep us warm and kept the deer flies at bay.”

Cook this in the oven at 400 degrees until potatoes are tender.  The meat will finish first, and it will be very moist, soft in texture– a fine meal, afterall; exceptional flavors coming through with each bite.