jonny cakes

The origins of the name jonny cakes is lost in the mist of time.  Some think it's a corruption of an Algonquin word for the food, others think it's a New England corruption of  “journey cake” because the ever thrifty New Englanders would carry them when on a journey.  The original recipe was simple and taught to the New England settlers by the local Algonquin: corn flour, water or salt water and if needed salt.  The settlers wheat flour had gone bad so jonny cakes got then through until other foods could be found.  Some have said jonny cakes were the New England tortillas. In time jonny cakes started to include whatever grains, root crops and other ingredients were available.  Today’s jonny cakes often are a variation of pancakes or pan bread.