Soul Cakes

Today is All Soul's Day , a day reserved for remembering loved ones who have passed. Even though it is a solemn holy day it is celebrated. In Northern England and Scotland it is a day to go souling, or begging for something for those lost loved ones to eat.What is given out on this day? Everything from dried fruit to little cakes or soul cakes.

Begging for soul cakes goes back centuries. It's actually a precursor of Halloween when the poor or especially children would go knocking door to door, looking for something to eat. They were given these cakes and upon eating them say prayers for the giver's departed family. According to belief the souls would then be instantly released from Purgatory. They were also called harcakes in Lancashire and some other sections of Darbyshire . The Mexicans have something similar called Ppan de Muerto or bread of the dead. These are sweet buns that have bone decorations on them,. Usually a tear shaped piece such as an almond is also added to represent sadness. Soul cakes were also popularized in the song by the same name , first by Peter, Paul and Mary and most recently by Sting on his 2009 CD If On A Winter's Night .

There are recipes for these solemn treats. They're in the same family as a scone and have added dried fruits to them, along with allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Usually there are currants which are also put in the shape of across on top. There is also another recipe , redolent with saffron and egg yolk to give a yellowish cast. This could represent the dying autumn sun or the bonfires of the ancient Samhain or All Hallow's Eve when they were first made before Christianity hit Britain's shores. Soul cakes are made basically the same way as biscuits,kneaded lightly , cut out with a cookie cutter and then baked for only fifteen minutes until golden. Freshly baked soul cakes are served with wine as well according to tradition.

Soul cakes are an ancient and interesting way of celebrating loved ones who have passed. They represent Celtic ways and customs but also the solemnity of the passing of life and the seasons.
Bake them during these next few days as a sign of remembrance.

Achtung! It’s Steuben Day!!!

The New York metro area will be inundated with all things German this weekend in honor of Revolutionary War hero, baron Von Steuben. The baron was one of our first European supporters along with General Lafayette and he helped turn the tide of the Revolution. To honor him New York City has its; annual Steuben Day parade. This is where German and German American groups combine to make for one wild food loving weekend.

The best part about the whole celebratory weekend is the food. German food rocks (albeit it , it’s a little heavy). There is always so much great tasting food , from wiener schnitzel or breaded veal to bratwurst which is the grand daddy of the American hot dog. I will be attending the parade with my class from China (I now teach ESL) who are new to America. They’re looking forward to the sites, sounds and , of course, the food. They’re college freshmen with very little travel knowledge and culinary experience(well except growing up on the American chains that invaded China). Eating anything from a hot salty pretzel to trying roast pork with spaetzle with be a new experience for them.

Of course anything German also means pastry as well I plan on having some today but also tomorrow when I visit another celebration down at the German Club, in Clark new Jersey. Here the club offers everything sweet, from bee sting cake to strudel to Black Forest. There are also blueberry and plum cake slices to enjoy as well. It is a fun time especially food wise. The club also sets up an ice cream stand where you can have fresh made ice cream drizzled with brandy (or with fruit for the kids).There’s also dancing and contests

This weekend I plan on celebrating my Swabian German heritage by attending the Steuben Day Parade. I will also celebrate this rich culinary history as well. There’s nothing like a weekend filled with spaeztle , bratwurst and cake!!!