Introduction: Christmas 2019

You’re having my favorite…food. This book was cooked up by our kids to honor our family’s delicious culinary traditions - as well as some new additions. Of course the commentary is seasoned with wit, humor and sarcasm. But that’s how they roll - the dough.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed eating. In fact, when I was born, the doctor told my mother that I was the kind of baby who needed to be fed every day. She never let me down. Even though I married into an Italian family, mom’s spaghetti and meatballs are still the best I’ve ever tasted. There’s just something about childhood dishes that stick with you.

Our family has a lot of great traditions that involve food. Whether it’s holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, engagements or bad breakups, food has always been there to bring comfort and aid celebrations for our family. Just like we love re-telling the same stories, we love eating the same food at the same events.

4th of July in Havre de Grace brings out all the picnic favorites - but nothing that needs the oven, it makes the house too hot! My fondest memories are the kids, when they were young, sitting on the curb waving their little American flags as the bands went by - and eating all the taco dip. And our very own Patriot, Uncle Chris, saluting down from his tequila deck, as military units went marching by and pointing out after a few shots of Pepe Lopez: “If we didn’t win the War for Independence, we’d all be speaking English today.” Who can forget Thanksgivings in Westwood Manor, the kids so little they could sit at the coffee table. Besides the cornbread pudding and Aunt Wink’s mashed potatoes, everyone saying what we were thankful for was always my favorite part. There was always a lot to be thankful for.

Our family’s Christmas Eve tradition started in the late 60’s in Garfield Park by our mother, who opened her door to our friends, some of whom had nowhere else to go. She told us that because of a bad situation in her own house, she vowed that when she had her own home, all her kids’ friends would be welcome. After her death, Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe continued the tradition on Carson Road - a lot of the same knuckleheads still show up and a lot of the same dishes are served.

You’d think they’d get a break when remodeling the kitchen, but you’d be wrong. The cousins revolted and despite no running water, stove, table, chairs, refrigerator or dishwasher, the party proceeded with crockpots, coolers and lots of extension cords. You could say we’re a little crazy about tradition. I think it goes down as one of our best Christmas Eves ever.

Christmas day in Ramblewood usually included Aunt Denise’s meatballs and a running loop of Christmas Vacation. “Falls in a well, eyes go crossed. Gets kicked by a mule, eyes go back. I don’t know.” We hope to renew that tradition when we move back next year and I look forward to getting the Hobans and DiSabatinos back together for the holidays.

So here is your copy of “The Hungry, Hungry Hobans.” After I read it, I only had one question: “Hey, are you going to finish that?”

Bon Appétit, Uncle Jack Hoban, 2019