Brazil has its tanned, feathered samba dancers. Venice its masked Carnival and New Orleans its debaucherous Mardi Gras. In England ... it is Pancake Day.The day before the start of the Lenten period in Catholic cultures has evolved into a massive party of sorts to celebrate all that is decadent in life in preparation for the forty days of deprivation to follow. Those cultures that are less Catholic generally do not celebrate this date, or have modified their approach ... thus England and its "Shrove Tuesday".
Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting season. So, all across the nation this past Tuesday night bands of people came together carrying ingredients of their liking (Nutella, sugar and butter, ham and cheese) to partake in the custom.
My dear friends Amy and Cheryl hosted quite the event, making dozens and dozens of crepe-like pancakes (not those fluffly ones us Bisquick-raised Americans envision) to please the masses, first taking in a few "savoury" and closing up with a couple "sweet".Though not quite as provocative as some other culture's celebrations, this quaint indulgence is the perfect exclamation point on all that is decadent in life. I do have to say though, judging on the stuffed restaurants on Valentine's Day Wednesday, there was no stoppage of the over-consumption!!
