The Great Depression, the decade-long economic slump from 1929 to 1939, led to a number of unusual food choices, such as a peanut butter-stuffed onion. The recipe, which first appeared in various newspapers and cookbooks, involved peeling and boiling a mild onion, then coring it, adding peanut butter, bread crumbs, paprika, and salt to it. The leftover onion was then mixed with peanut butter and then stuffed into the cored onion. While it cooked, the onion was basted in warm milk. Food historians have made versions of this recipe, but others have not included paprika or a cream sauce.