Date: 12 Feb 2010
Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day as it is better known, is the celebration of the start of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday and is the Christian celebration of Jesus’ temptation by the devil. In 2010 Pancake Day is on February the 16th.
On Shrove Tuesday people use up food items in the house such as sugar, milk and eggs which are not eaten during Lent. Pancakes are easily made from these ingredients and at the same time provide valuable nutrition for the fasting period. Traditionally eggs are not eaten again until Easter.
The first pancake recipe recorded in a cookbook dates back to the year 1439 and across the globe pancakes are used in lots of different ways and have many different fillings and toppings; from Peking Duck to lemon and sugar. The largest cooked pancake was 15 metres in diameter and weighed 3 tonnes. It was cooked in Rochdale in England and was estimated to contain over two million calories.
In Australia the pancakes are too thick to roll and in Canada they add items like coins and rings to signify different paths in life. Getting a coin means you will be rich and a ring means you will get married.
Across the channel in France Shrove Tuesday is called Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. This name comes from an old tradition of walking an ox through Paris on the day. It was meant to symbolise the fact that the people were not allowed to eat meat during Lent but fasting is not as common today.
Making and tossing pancakes is a great family activity, you can always combine fun and food! Just a little tip, make sure the pancake is cooked before you try to flip it; you do not want pancake batter on your ceiling, or your head.
What every way you choose to have your pancakes, enjoy them.
