Dining in the Unknown
What to eat with each episode of Over The Garden Wall (2014) - plus links to my previous OTGW posts
Hi all! I forgot I wanted to do this post! Lucky for me, it’s still OTGW watching season - Autumn is still crisp on the air, even if it is slipping away.
Anyway, in case you missed my OTGW series, here it is below, listed in chronological order for your convenience. If you already read ‘em, treat yourself and re-read ‘em😂.
Now let’s get into the meat (haha) of the article. What should one eat with each episode?
It must be said the individual runtimes are generally at the 10 minute mark, so I’ve tried to consider that when choosing the food/drink. The way I’m gonna go about it is to assume you watch like me, episodically and not all in one go (it’s completely ok if you watch it as a movie though), so the snacks can clash. This is not an 11 course meal plan, because I’m not a chef and doing it that way would suck all the fun outta the idea.
Right. At last, we’ve got these important points out of the way, and can begin our journey into the Unknown.
With the pilot, I’m thinking soup. Not hugely exciting, but nearly all the characters are vegetables. Plus it’s cosy food. Personally, I’d go for Butternut Squash, with a liberal amount of ground pepper, and hey, if you’re trendy, why not make sourdough or something to go with it. Also, not everyone likes soup, and not everyone will watch the pilot, so it works.
For Episode 1, it’s gotta be candy. Just heaps of candy. You could include liquorice to mimic the Edelwood, but I’m not a liquorice kinda guy, so I’d just go for something with caramel in.
For Episode 2, pumpkin pie, or gingerbread men that you’ve made look like little skeletons (this is a brilliant Fall activity). I’ve never had pumpkin pie but I’d sure like to one day.
For Episode 3, it pains me not to say potatoes and molasses, but that sounds like a weird and potentially pretty bad meal. Instead, perhaps a school lunch - you know, like a packed lunch. Sandwich, packet of crisps, maybe an apple. Get that nostalgia going.
For Episode 4 - big food. A big roast chicken. Crunchy bread rolls. Smoked ham. A pint. Pub fare. This one’s an episode to watch at dinnertime.
For Episode 5, obviously you must have tea. If it’s not your bag, a similarly dainty drink. Cordial, perhaps. You could even go all out and have a proper Cream Tea.
For Episode 6, we’re on a boat. This is not a dining affair, if you ask me (I can get a little queasy on boats). This event requires an alcoholic beverage. To celebrate George Washington’s beautiful singing voice, a nice cocktail (or mocktail) will do. Ideally one you can relate to frogs, or something like it. If you’re feeling a bit edgier, something smoky (for Adelaide).
For Episode 7, it’s gotta be something a little weird, like bone-broth, or bone marrow. If that’s not your scene, then I guess eat some dark chocolate or stone fruit and pretend it’s turtles (Do not eat turtles - remember what happened to the dog?). Try to choose something ripe, or something bitter.
For Episode 8, everything is olden-days. And it’s freezing - the North Wind is blowing a gale. Make a hot chocolate, and maybe cookies. Something Greg would like. I’d make rock cakes, because they feel old-timey and they’re delicious.
For Episode 9, it’s Halloween!!! Happy Halloween! (Yes, I know I’m posting this in November.) Eat something spooky. Actually, no. Eat something with an eighties feel - pizza, or wings, or something. Party food. Wirt and Greg are at a party (briefly) so why shouldn’t we! Oh, and don’t skimp on the age appropriate drinks (I, as a grown man, may well be drinking a beer).
For Episode 10, it’s not really a big food vibe. It’s a bit of an emotional one. Let’s have something that reflects the freezing cold of Winter, and drink an iced drink. Maybe a London Fog, or an iced coffee. If it’s past time for caffeine, a gin and tonic will do - something with which to toast the lost souls we’ll be leaving behind.
Let me know what you thought, and if you’ll be trying these next year! I certainly might. Also, if you have any better ideas, please share them! Especially allergy-conscious ones, or those that take dietary preference into account.
Anyway, as ever, thanks for reading,
Until next time,
H.E.
this is such a cool concept!! pairing foods with each episode :-) sadly i am one of those people that watch it all in one go (been doing so every halloween hehe) so you set me up for a challenge!! and this was very fun to read
Do not eat turtles 😂