World War II was especially hard on England, specifically English citizens. And most specifically English housewives striving to feed their families on limited and rationed food. Quoting from a 2024 article on the BBC History website by Eleanor Barnett:

“Sharing information on the benefits of potato eating and recipes for potato-based breakfasts, dinners, teas, snack and desserts, Potato Pete’s Recipe Book aimed to educate those on the home front on the benefits of potato-eating. Potatoes could be easily grown at home or bought cheaply, providing a rich source of nutrients.” 

“When rationing was introduced in January 1940, the amount of butter, bacon and sugar you could buy was limited and by August 1942 almost all foods other than home-grown vegetables, fruits and game were in some way restricted.”

Here’s the recipe for Potato Pete’s Potato Piglets:  “Take 6 potatoes, 6 sausages and 1/2 head of cabbage. Remove the centre (sic) of the potatoes using an apple corer or knife. Remove the skins from the sausages and fill the potato holes with sausage meat. Bake for 45″ at 200oC (400oF). Meanwhile, chop the cabbage and boil on the hob (stove) for five minutes. Once baked, serve your potato piglets on top of the cooked cabbage.”

If you try this recipe, please let us know how it turned out and how your family liked it.