Hey , foodies sorry about yesterday. My computer went viral and had to be fixed. I'm back on just in time for Lent. This is the period where Catholics and Orthodox Christians give something up. Most give up some kind of indulgent food such as chocolate or cake. I was never one of those, preferring to give up intolerance or impatience with other people (and winding up with chest pains by Easter). Lent does offer some interesting foods however.
Hot cross buns are a favorite Lenten treat. These are raisin and citron yeast buns marked with a thick white icing cross. Their origin in British, the first being made during the Tudor times. They were only sold and specifically eaten on Christmas, Easter and mourning times. Later, during Early Hanover England they were eaten during the forty days of Lent. Instead of raisins , currents and different spices were added. The word bun itself is from the Greek word boun which means offering to the gods. Sailors also kept the buns aboard their ships to protect the vessels from catching fire. Homeowners followed this belief as well , keeping at least one hot cross bun, usually bake don Good Friday.
Other Lenten traditions include no meat on Fridays for the Catholics, no meat, butter, eggs or cheese, on Wednesday and Friday for the Greek Orthodox for their Lent. During this time, most of us become reacquainted with tuna fish, shrimp and crab cakes. This is actually healthier than seven days of red meat and poultry. After all we all need some Omega 3 in out diets anyway.
So foodies, are there any Lenten food customs that you observe? Let me know here what your traditionare foodwise.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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