History of Hobo Dinner/Stew-in my family

Eggy ~

The name "Hobo" first started appearing in the United States in the early 1800's.

A hobo is a periodical bum who works today and takes to the road tomorrow.

Before the Civil War many hoboes had taken to the rails as a way of life.

The hoboes have a long tradition of being transient workers. They traveled the rails to harvest the fields, and orchards, lumbering or any other odd jobs that would grub-stake him for a time.

Many hoboes lived in hobo camps near railroad tracks. Each hobo in the camp brought in something to add to the stew pot, be it a spud, a
carrot, a fish . . . whatever. That single ingredient would have made a pretty thin stew but when added to the whole made a pretty tolerable
meal.

When I was growing up, Hobo Stew was a much-liked part of going camping with my parents. We made the stew in foil pouches and cooked it over hot coals from our fire. This can also be done on a bbq grill or even in your oven.
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Hobo Stew (one version)

Yield: 4 servings

1 and 1/2 pounds ground beef
16-inch squares aluminum foil
Carrots; sliced
Potatoes; sliced
Mushrooms, sliced
Tomatoes, stewed or chopped
Garlic, choped
Onions, chopped
A1 Sauce (or ketchup)
Garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste

Separate meat into 4 patties (or crumble). Place each in the center of a square of foil. Top with equal portions of chopped carrots and potatoes.
Add mushrooms, tomatoes garlic and onions. Season with A1sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Seal foil, checking for leaks. Place on hot coals for 10 to 15 minutes per side.
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or

Hobo Dinner-in-a-Can

1 lb. ground beef
4 tomatoes (sliced)
1 - 17 oz. can whole kernel corn or green beans(drained)
Salt, Pepper and Margarine to taste
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
1/3 cup milk

Divide meat into 4 patties. Place meat patty in each of 4 lightly greased 1-pound coffee cans. Top each patty with 3 tomato slices, 1/4 of the
corn, salt, pepper and dot of margarine. Cover each tightly with heavy-duty foil. Place cans 3 - 4 inches from hot coals. Cook 20-30 minutes. Stir baking mix and milk to a soft dough. Drop dough by
spoonfuls into each can. Cook uncovered 10 minutes, cover, cook 10 minutes longer.