Mmmmm.
Pancakes.
Called by many names - Blintz, Palascinta, Flensjes, Pannkuchen, Po-Ping - yes, you know
they're yummy, but what do you know about their
history or their
religious significance? For instance,
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day and for the past 53 years, women in
Olney, England and
Liberal, Kansas race down the streets of their towns flipping pancakes, continuing an English tradition that goes back more than 500 years. (
Melbourne, Australia has a Pancake Day race, too!
) The Russian Orthodox Church
celebrates Shrovetide with a type of pancake called Blini, and I think most of us know that
Latkes (potato pancakes) are
a traditional part of the Hanukah feast. (Although apparently there is
some debate on the virtues of
Latkes over Hamentashen.) On a more secular note, we've just missed the
2002 Fall Flapjack Festival, held every year in
Land O'Lakes, Florida.
Glenn, Michigan has an
annual Pancake Festival, too (since 1938). Hey! I'm getting hungry ... somebody
pass the Maple Syrup!
posted by anastasiav
on Nov 12, 2002 -
34 comments
