Shrove Tuesday, also called Pancake Day, is the feast day before the Lent fast starts on Ash Wednesday. This year it falls on Tuesday 4 March. Lent is an important part of the Christian calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan.
But why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
The tradition dates back to Anglo-Saxon times when Christians spent Lent in repentance and fasting. On the day before Ash Wednesday the church bell would summon them to confession, where they would be ‘shriven’, or absolved from their sins. That became known as Shrove Tuesday. On returning home, they would use up their last eggs and fat, and making a pancake was the easiest way to do this.
The Pancake Race
No one is quite certain how the world famous Pancake Race at Olney originated. One rather endearing theory is said to be in remembrance of a harassed woman back in 1445 in Olney Buckinghamshire. She was making pancakes when she heard the church bell calling all to confession. Afraid she’d be late, she ran to the church in a panic, still wearing her apron, and still holding her pan!
There are numerous ways and combinations to enjoy pancakes - drizzled with golden syrup, maple syrup, with fruit, ice cream, chocolate spread, orange curd. I like maple syrup and mashed banana, but my favourite is plain lemon juice and sugar.
🥞 Happy Pancake Day 🥞
Polly x
I usually eat pancakes for Fat Tuesday, but it snuck up on me this year -- thanks for reminding me! Now I know what my supper menu will be on Tuesday, LOL.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of service Debra, enjoy 😋
DeleteIt’s 5pm Monday afternoon here……wonder if I’ll remember this in 24hrs time😊
ReplyDeleteI hope you did Cathy 😊
DeleteHas to be sugar and lemon for me too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good combination 😊
DeleteLove those pancake days!
ReplyDeleteMe too, I have them all year round 😋
DeleteI love pancakes but this must be more of an English tradition and not one we do here. Pity, that!
ReplyDeleteIt is a tradition but I think you can eat them whenever you like Jeanie 😊
DeleteI didn't know of this tradition. I can get on board pancake day.
ReplyDeleteAnd any other day too Hena!
DeleteYou've made me think pancakes for lunch now!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed them Liz
DeletePancakes are wonderful! I mainly have them with maple syrup. I've never heard of golden syrup! I've never tried them with lemon juice and sugar, but now I want to - sounds yummy!
ReplyDeleteIt is Ivy. If you try it I hope you like the combo 😊
DeleteGolden syrup is popular in my small town here in central Kentucky :)
ReplyDeleteIt's delicious😋
DeleteWhile I knew about eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, I did not know the history behind it. Thanks, Polly, for sharing the story. I like maple shrup and butter on pancakes.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Beatrice😊
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