Haystack (food) facts for kids

A yummy haystack dish with rice, lentils, cheese, and fresh veggies.

A haystack is a fun and customizable meal popular in the United States. It's like a build-your-own meal where you pile different ingredients onto a base. Imagine a deconstructed tostada or a salad that's much more exciting!

You start with a starchy base like Fritos, tortilla chips, rice, or even crackers. Then, you add a protein, which could be beans, cheddar cheese, or seasoned meat. Next come fresh veggies like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and peppers. Finally, you top it all off with your favorite sauces and dips, such as guacamole, sour cream, or salsa. Everyone gets to create their own perfect haystack right on their plate!

Why Haystacks Are Popular

Haystacks are great for feeding lots of people without spending too much money. They use small amounts of many different ingredients. This means everyone can pick exactly what they like. Because they are so flexible and tasty, haystacks have been a favorite for families and groups for over 60 years! They are especially popular among three religious groups in North America.

Adventist Haystacks

Seventh-day Adventist haystacks often start with a base of corn chips, usually Fritos. People often crush the chips a little first. Then, they add beans and grated cheddar cheese. Fresh ingredients like lettuce, other vegetables, and condiments, especially salsa, are usually added last.

Many Adventists are vegetarians. This means they don't eat meat. Haystacks are very popular with this group because they can easily be made without meat. Sometimes, a soy-based meat alternative is used. Haystacks are a common and special meal after church services or at "potlucks." A potluck is when everyone brings a dish to share.

A Seventh-day Adventist named Ella May Hartlein is often given credit for creating this version of haystacks. She came up with the idea in the early 1950s. Her family wanted tostadas but couldn't find a Mexican restaurant nearby.

Mennonite Haystacks

The Amish haystack is a bit different from the Adventist version. It usually has less of a Mexican flavor and is not always vegetarian. This type of haystack often starts with a base of lettuce. Crushed chips or crackers are sprinkled on top.

Next, cooked hamburger meat mixed with a tomato or spaghetti-like sauce is added. The haystack is finished with chopped vegetables, cheese, and any other toppings you like. Amish haystacks are often served at community fundraisers. These events help families who need support.

Hawaiian Haystacks

In the community of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, these dishes are better known as Hawaiian haystacks. They get their name because they often include pineapple chunks as a topping. Unlike the Mexican flavors of Adventist haystacks, Hawaiian haystacks have more Asian-inspired tastes. This might be because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been in Hawaii for a long time.

Hawaiian haystacks use a base of white rice. Small pieces of chicken in a sauce or gravy are placed on top. Then, a variety of toppings are added. These often include the famous pineapple chunks, cheddar cheese, celery, tomatoes, sliced almonds, coconut, and crunchy chow mein noodles.

Hawaiian haystacks are very popular in Utah and other western states. Many members of the church live in these areas. They are often served at church potlucks. Hawaiian haystacks are part of what some people call "Mormon Cooking." Other dishes in this style include pretzel jello salad, funeral potatoes, and frogeye salad.