Everything from vegetable pizza and curried squash soup to no-bake energy bites and Scottish shortbread is featured in a cookbook currently being offered by Boy Scout Troop 20 of Atglen.

"Troop 20 Family Favorites," a collection of recipes by troop members and their families, is being sold as a fundraiser to help finance the cost of troop activities in lieu of the troop's annual fruit basket sale. The cookbook is divided into sections, including Appetizers and Beverages; Soups and Salads; Vegetables and Side Dishes; Main Dishes; Breads and Rolls; Desserts; Cookies and Candy; and This and That.

"We began compiling the recipes for the cookbook in the beginning of October; all recipes were due by the end of October," explained Scout mom Heather Jackson. "All Scouts were asked to submit as many recipes as they would like. They could ask anyone in their family for recipes."

Many of the recipes in the book are distinct because they are unique to each family, such as "Grandma's Gobs," which are sandwich cookies filled with icing, and "Porcupine Meatballs," which are meatballs containing rice. Some recipes use slow cookers, such as the one for "Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup." There is also a recipe for slow cooker hot chocolate.

Once the recipes were compiled, Jackson found a publishing company, Morris Press, which created the book. "They have a 'type and save' program, where we typed all the recipes into their program," she said. "This program (also) allowed us to choose our art that was in the book as well as write a little history on our troop."

In addition to the history and the assortment of recipes, the cookbook contains many helpful hints for home cooks. This reference information includes a section on how to use and identify herbs and spices, baking hints, details on how to buy the best fresh fruits and vegetables, measurement charts, cooking timetables and even a section on napkin folding. All of the recipes are included in the easy-to-use index.

"It was a lot of work typing and putting together the book, but it was fun reading all the different and sometimes same recipes with the different families' twists on them," Jackson shared.

Proceeds for each book will benefit troop members. One-third will go to the whole troop to pay for activities and help with Scouts who have financial needs. One-third will go to each Scout's High Adventure account, which pay for trips to Camp Philmont, Sea Base or Algonquin. "The last third is for each Scout to use for our monthly camping trips or to pay yearly dues," Jackson noted.

Jackson said the cookbook has been a good way to raise money during the pandemic. "Most of the construction was done online," she noted. "Pickup for books while selling (can) be contactless. I know personally my Scout has sold most of the books through asking family members to post on their social media pages. We did post on the Octorara Community Facebook page as well."

Cookbooks are also being sold at the Brass Eagle Restaurant, 5725 Lincoln Highway, Gap, and at Turkey Hill's Gap location. People may also order cookbooks by emailing hajackson1515@gmail.com.