Editor, The Beacon:

I loved The Beacon’s story on the origins of johnnycakes. My Southern grandmother made a version called “hoecakes.”

When settlers were clearing a field for planting, they would build a little fire, clean off their hoes, stick them in the fire, and use the hoes for griddles to fry up hoecakes made from cornmeal and water. Great with pinto beans!

Kathy Hersh

DeLand