Spooky Salem

Happy spooky October everyone! My name is Maggie. Salem, Connecticut’s Witch Meadow Road and the witch trials, with one in particular, are connected to one another. Without further adieu, let’s get into it.

50 years prior to the famous Salem, Massachusetts witch trials, Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield County were killing people they suspected were witches. I grew up not even five minutes away from the interestingly named Witch Meadow Road. So naturally curiosity struck. I found out that the history of Witch Meadow Road was lost in myth. Although this may be true there was a story of a man who lived near that area. His story is very interesting; allow me to share.

The gentleman’s name was Thomas Carrier. He originally inhabited Bay Colony until his wife, Martha, was hanged for witchcraft. The process leading up to Martha’s wrongful death was quite possibly even more disturbing than her death in general.

It all began around 1690, when the Carrier family caught smallpox and then recovered very quickly. Since the witch trials were big at that time, the family‘s miraculous recoveries led the neighbors to believe that Martha was a witch.

The neighbors began to talk amongst themselves which led to many false accusations. They claimed that they had swollen feet, that their cows milk had dried up, and that their livestock was dying; all of which are signs that a witch was among them. In order to “rightfully” prosecute Martha they tortured her children into false confessions. Up until her dying breath, she renounced that she was a witch; claiming “I would rather die than confess to a falsehood so filthy.”

One year later, Governor Phips ended the witchcraft trials. Thomas moved to Salem-Colchester in hopes to begin a new and successful life with his children. There he owned a large amount of land. In his old age, he was a well respected man. He was rewarded a substantial sum of money for Martha’s undeserving death, finally acquiring the peace he deserved.

Whether the infamously named road was a memorial location for those who were tragically executed, or a site where many of those who were executed lived; it still exists as a reminder of what happened in the past.

Halloween in Salem has always been one of my favorite times of the year. My family and I have a tradition, where every year on October 23rd we all gather in our car and drive around looking at all the Halloween decorations. My mom packs these delicious apple fritters. The recipe below will show you how to make them, so you can enjoy all of these spooky snacks as I have enjoyed them in my life!

recipe for apple fritters.

ingredients

1 cup (128g) all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 -3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced into bite-size pieces (about 2-3 apples)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

¼ cup (61g) whole milk

Vegetable or canola oil, (for frying)

glaze

1 ¼ cups (150g) confectioners sugar, sifted

¼ teaspoon vanilla

3-6 teaspoons water

instructions for fritter dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine the lemon juice and apples. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and eggs on medium speed until fully combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in two additions. Mix until just combined.

Pour in the milk and continue to stir until incorporated.

Fold in the apples.

Fill a frying pan halfway with oil. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 375°F with a candy thermometer.

Drop ¼ cup of batter into the oil and let fry until golden brown. Flip and fry until the opposite side is golden brown. To test for done

ness, insert a small knife into the center. If there's still uncooked batter in the center, fry for a bit longer. Transfer to a paper towel-lined cooling rack and let cool. Repeat with the remaining batter.

instructions for glaze

Make the glaze by combining the sugar, vanilla, and 3 teaspoons of water. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until a pourable consistency is reached.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled fritters and let dry.

source

https://www.theday.com/article/20121014/ENT07/310149995