We might not realise it, but most of customs and habits we enact in our lives, including high days and festivals are a mishmash of things from the past. Feasting of food and drink is the primary activity over the merrymaking season to revel in the end of a year and the beginning of new hopes.
Yule, Winter Solstice, New Year, Hogmanay, Saturnalia, Christmas and Advent are all thrown into a pot to make our current seasonal celebrations.
Probably from the earliest days, ancient Britons living in crude earth clod houses or caves may have prepared dishes for the winter sun festival, when the day has least light ~ and the promise of longer days when summer would surely return.
Around a millenia ago, a box shaped savoury pastry pie filled with hearty meats like lamb became a central part of Christ Mass ~ marking the birth of Jesus Christ, forefather of Christianity. The rectangular shape copied the shape of Jesus's Crib. Later, Crusaders and merchants brought incredible spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves from the east...
Chris
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