Favorite Thing: the sweet mincemeat (mixture of fruits) is from Cromwell times.
Oliver Cromwell's Puritan Council (UK) abolished Christmas on December 22, 1657
Connecticut followed suit in 1659 (including a ban on mincemeat pies!) and so did Massachusetts. But Virginians defied Cromwell, maintaining their Episcopal worship and their Christmas celebrations throughout the colonial period.
The earliest mention of how to make a mince pie, from circa 1615 mentions, amongst its ingredients, two rabbits, two pigeons, two partridges, a hare, a pheasant, a capon, the livers of all these animals, as well as eggs, pickled mushrooms, dried fruit and spices. The whole thing was made into a huge pie, sometimes weighing as much as 220lb (100kg) and held together with iron clamps.
Now, Cromwell banished meat during the festive season which left the mince pie with not much more than dried fruits and spices.
Fondest Memory: The little square mince pies (made of minced beef) with peas and diced carrots and that gorgeous pastry is one of my favourite memories.
Leave a Comment
on Feb 25, 2003
