Podcasts History Ben Franklin's World 009 Delicious December

009 Delicious December

Published: Dec. 16, 2014, 6 a.m.

\xa0\u201c\u2019Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house/ Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse./ The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,/ In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.\u201d

Undoubtedly, you have heard, or read, this first stanza of Clement Moore\u2019s famous \u201cA Visit from St. Nicholas\u201d (1822) poem, but have you ever wondered about the traditions and saint contained within its lines?

Where did the Christmas traditions of stockings, presents, and cookies come from? And what about jolly, old Saint Nicholas? Who was he and why do we often call him Santa Claus?

Peter G. Rose, culinary historian of Dutch foodways in North America and author of Delicious December: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats joins us to discuss the origins of Santa Claus and edible goodies such as cookies in the United States.

Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/009

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