It all started with Sherman. While visiting Aunt Janet he and AJ went into a Farm and Fleet where Sherm came across some (overly spiced) parched corn. That brought back memories:

About 60 years ago, your Dad once came home with a snack he called "parched corn". In later years, I was able to get this (not very delicate) delicacy in the form of "Corn Nuts". I hadn't had any for some time, so this past weekend while I was visiting Aunt Janet, and we went to Mill's Fleet Farm to pick up some supplies, I found a version of this treasure seasoned with something called habanero powder. It turns out that (purely by empirical evidence) this powder is a very potent pepper. But, even though my mouth felt like it was stung with a hundred cactus spines, I could not stop eating this highly addictive crunchiness. So my questions to you are 1) have you inherited your father's taste for this snack, and 2) do you have a good source of supply (sans the extra flavorings)?
Sherm

Being rather weak on long-term memory myself, I sent out an APB to Nies family members for more information, and lots of info came flowing in. Brother John seems to have had the most authoritative:

Hi all, What lousy memories you all have!
Here is the lowdown on parched corn! It was always cooked by dad. It is Dried field corn, removed from the cob. Cooked in a dry frying pan until the corn "pops" or is parched. The addition of a bit of butter makes the salt stick. Corn nuts are deep fried soaked corn available in several flavored from Kraft Foods.The original process came from "Uncle Leon Wheeler."
--John

But, just as it seemed that the parched corn issue was settled, Sherm stirred thing up again:

"I just had another of my favorite snacks: herring fillets in wine sauce. And it occurred to me that the first time I ever had that was one New Year's Eve when your Dad passed out a traditional treat for the occasion, which included that very snack."
Sherm

All I can say to that is, "Of course."

Yes, I remember the herring on New Years Eve. I hated it! I hated the smell! But, we all had to take one bite on a cracker for good luck through the next year. I also did not like Dad's stinky cheese! --Trin

Fortunately, John came through again, with the article below. But, before we get there, I have to say that pickled herring is right near the top of the essential foods list for me, and (I'm pretty sure) for John as well. But it has to come from Ma Baensch!

So, check out Ma Baensch. I posted a photo of the shop about a year ago which I snapped on the way home from a meeting at UWM.

Now——— I'm starting to hope Sherm doesn't bring up Connie's fudge or Granny's Dundee cake. And I agree with Trin that Limburger cheese should never be brought into the house.