The fierce Karankawa Indians inhabited the Gulf Coast at the time of Cabeza de Vaca. These Indians lived along the creeks of gulf coast and ate fish and oysters. The early settlers of the area produced fruits and vegetables for their own consumption, but some produced enough to sell on the market. Pecans, pears, figs, citrus, strawberries, squach, cucumbers, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, watermelons, turnips, and mustard greens were grown here.

Candied Pecans

3 cups of pecans
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

Place all ingredients in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. When mixure begins to sugar place on buttered cookie sheet that has been slightly salted. Bake 10-15 minutes at 300 degrees. Stir and bake 10-15 minutes more if needed.

Note: Do not use too high a heat as sugar will burn and the end products will have a scortched taste.

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Settler's Waffles

3 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup melted bacon grease
4 Tbsp.+ pecans (chopped)

Beat eggs and buttermilk in a bowl. Sift dry ingredients and add to egg mixture and beat. Mix in grease. Pour about 1/4 cup batter in a preheated waffle iron. Sprinle part of the pecans over the batter and bake until golden brown.

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