Fruitcake: The Strange Truth

Christmas Eve or not, we’re about to blow the whistle on a huge holiday myth.

No, we’re not going to burst Virginia’s bubble about the Big Guy. Besides, this is something far more shocking:

Some people actually EAT fruitcake.

In fact, more than half (53 percent) of the people polled said they would eat a fruitcake given to them as a gift, or serve it to guests, in a survey for the Nebraska-based Grandma’s Original Fruit & Nut Cake company.

A more rational 30 percent said they would simply pass it on to someone else, while another 17 percent preferred to “dispose” of the intruder.

But before you stop answering your doorbell, don’t worry too much. A mere 8 percent of the people polled said they actually planned to give fruitcake as a gift this year.

Then again, a frightening one out of five folks surveyed said Santa would rather find fruitcake left out for him tonight than a plate of cookies. Ho, ho, ho.

Peas, love, happiness

The holidays, of course, are a time of tradition. And if you have a particularly compelling custom, you could win a family trip to Walt Disney World courtesy of the Le Sueur Peas people.

Just describe, in 50 words or less, the favorite family tradition (holiday or not) you plan to pass on to the next generation, include your name, address and telephone number and send to: Le Sueur Peas, P.O. Box 8766, St. Louis, MO 63101.

Entries must be received by Jan. 31. Grand prize is a seven-night trip to Orlando, Fla., for 10 people, including airfare, lodging and Disney World passes, valued at $9,000.

Young toques

Do you know an accomplished teen cook who has visions of more than sugar plums dancing in his or her head?

The world’s largest culinary school, Johnson & Wales University, is sponsoring its ninth annual National High School Recipe Contest in cooperation with the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.

There are two contest categories: healthful family dinner, and healthful bread and dessert. Winners in each category receive a $5,000 renewable tuition scholarship to Johnson & Wales, with $4,000 and $3,000 stipends for the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Entry deadline is Jan. 30. Finalists will be selected to compete in a three-day cook-off March 20-22 at the main campus in Providence, R.I. For an entry form, call 1-800-342-5598 or write to: Recipe Contest, Johnson & Wales University, 8 Abbott Park Place, Providence, R.I. 02903.

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