An Alaskan Icon

Over the course of the last couple of weeks, some very old memories have returned, reminding me of some of the things that are uniquely Alaskan, and which I had TOTALLY forgotten for years. One of them is Pilot Bread. This is hardtack, pure and simple, and it is still on the shelves of Alaskan stores. Made by Interbake Foods, they are usually only sold in Western and North Pacific markets, although I understand it is possible to order them if you know somebody who knows somebody, if you feel sufficiently curious to try them.

In the olden days, if you went to visit a Native family you got coffee (always fresh, always on) with evaporated milk and sugar, and Pilot Bread spread with butter and jam. The Native version of “high tea” I guess, and was considered a great honor.

The crackers are about four inches in diameter, so each one is a substantial snack, especially after it’s been in your stomach for a little while. It’s a good idea to start small, and only eat a half or a quarter of a cracker to begin, in order to gauge your capacity. It’s also good broken into pieces (a serious task that takes muscle and maybe a screwdriver) and put into a bowl with milk and sugar. Leave to sog up a bit overnight. A passable “graveyard stew,” as my dad used to call it.

The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. The crackers are unsalted, so they are not only hard as boards, they are bland and virtually tasteless. I think you could probably use one over several times, if you were having it with Sloppy Joe mix or chili. Just lick the goodie off and refill. Nothing you can do to them will diminish their true character. It makes a good dog biscuit, too, among other things, if you can get a dog to eat one.

At any rate, Pilot Bread is decidedly an acquired taste. It is virtually indestructible. It has only one natural enemy, and that’s moisture. It’s a survival food of the first order, a not so pleasant break from MRE’s or Mountain House, and as long as you have water, pilot bread, and pemmican or smoked salmon, you can survive almost anything nature wants to throw at you.

Naturally, something as iconic as Sailor Boy Pilot Bread is going to spawn some interesting side-businesses.