But what does this have to do with Shrove Tuesday?
At our house we could never let Shrove Tuesday go by without having our favorite dessert. Forget the trifle, sticky toffee pudding and Christmas pudding. Our favorite is pancakes. No, not American breakfast pancakes smothered in all kinds of gooey, strawberry, whipped cream concoctions or with a dose of pancake syrup. But those deliciously thin, rolled crepes sprinkled with sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice. We have been eating them on this day since childhood.
Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of Lent and pancakes were a way to use up those forbidden foods such as eggs and butter. Pancake races take place all over England, the most famous of all being in the town of Olney in Buckinghamshire. The race has been run there since 1445. Shrove Tuesday was a half day holiday and the 'Shriving Bell' would ring out from the church to call people to the service. Legend has it that a lady was in the middle of making her pancakes when the bell rang and she ran to the church pan in hand. Today the ladies of the town wearing apron and scarf start the race by tossing their pancake, run the 380 meters from the market square to the church, then toss the pancake again. The winner gets a kiss from the verger. Men can participate too but they must wear the apron and scarf.
I'm pleased to say that we have passed on pancake making through two generations. It wasn't Shrove Tuesday but while we were in Taipei at Christmas our 9 year old granddaughter made pancakes for us one night. We were busy discussing what we should have for dessert when the subject of pancakes came up. Vivian went into the kitchen, got out her recipe book, and measured out the ingredients.
She didn't toss the pancakes but used chopsticks to turn them.
Then made this lovely presentation. We ate them the same way we always do with sugar and lemon and they were delicious.
What a marvelous tradition and I loved hearing your stories. I must remember to make these next year when I have Meyer lemons.
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline. How is you lemon tree doing? I wonder if you had to re erect the pop-up greenhouse or had you not taken it down.
DeleteOooh those look beautiful! I used some of the Meyer lemons for a pie and I think we should try them with pancakes soon.
ReplyDeleteMeyer lemons are the best. Do try them with crepes they really make a delicious dessert and much better than the same with oranges.
DeleteEngland sounds like such a fun country! I can't wait to visit someday. I had the weirdest thing happen to my lemons this year. The lemons were ready very early and I put off harvesting them, so I could have them fresh when needed. Unfortunately, this didn't work out and they started to rot while still on the tree. I managed to save a few, but they seemed to ripen very quickly. Have you ever had that happen?
ReplyDeleteI never pull my lemons off the tree until I need them. They usually last until April. I wonder if yours got too much water and that is what caused the rotting. One time my tree froze and the lemons skins separated from the fruit but I have never had rotting. They do like a good soaking and then drying out and I am very good at the drying out bit.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right. The problem occurred around the time of the Halloween floods. The trees are in pots, but I bet they just got too much water. I'll check the drainage and re-pot them if needed.
DeleteWhat a wonderful tradition.
ReplyDeleteThe lemons and the pancakes look delicious. And, quite a beautiful little pancake chef there.