thyme
Carlings are dried peas, a traditional meal for Lent in Yorkshire. It’s said that whoever gets the last pea in the pot will be the first to get married.
Holidays and festivals in England are a time for families and friends to get together and enjoy a break from work or school. In many towns and villages, people take part in customs that have been around for centuries, whether it’s the colorful flash and lively beat of Morris dancing or the bonfire on Guy Fawkes Night.
Food often takes center stage during holiday celebrations. Perhaps the most famous holiday fare is Christmas pudding, a steamed dessert filled with dried fruits, such as plums and currants, and topped with a sweet sauce. At Easter, English cooks bake many types of sweets, such as hot cross buns or Easter biscuits. In Cornwall, an Easter specialty is bright yellow saffron buns, made with a spice that comes from the crocus flower.
In England, supper can be any meal eaten from 6:00 P.M. to late at night. Only a very formal meal eaten rather late would be called dinner.
Vegetarian shepherd’s pie satisfies the appetites of people who don’t eat meat but who enjoy traditional English foods. The tofu and walnuts provide protein.
