“Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it’s the last day before Lent. Throughout the United Kingdom, and in other countries too, people indulge themselves on foods that traditionally aren’t allowed during Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.”
“Caster sugar (superfine sugar) is sprinkled over the top and a dash of fresh lemon juice added. The pancake is then rolled. Some people add golden syrup or jam.”
Well. We definitely don’t celebrate (participate?) Lent, but any excuse is a good excuse to eat pancakes. On sunday, we went out for dinner at My Old Dutch, a great restaurant on King’s Road, London. A couple of my cousins couldn’t reconcile eating savoury toppings on a pancake, and Noah was hesitant too, but ordered a mediterranean pancake anyway and really enjoyed it.
…so the English version of carnivale, or mardi gras may be a little ( a lot?) more calm, but still really tasty. And though we don’t give anything up this time of the year, reminders of being grateful and not wasteful with your food are always welcome.
(for a recipe buckwheat spelt crepes: go here. I added baking powder and a bit more flour for thicker ones today)
That looks like fun – and the spelt crepes look yummy!
I was curious about this Pancake Day thing too so I looked it up. I had no idea it was to do with Lent. Curiously about 15 people I spoke to (Brits) had no real idea about Pancake Day either so it must be purely an observed religious thing…mind you the people I asked were probably no older than 40 or so!!!!