1. Travel

Discuss in my forum

Pancake Day in London

By , About.com Guide

1 of 8

Pancake Day in London
Frying pan © Laura Porter, licensed to About.com, Inc.

In the UK, we have a tradition of making and eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, which falls between 2 February and 9 March, depending on the date for Easter. Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday to use its correct title, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent - the 40 days leading up to Easter - was traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday Christians went to confession and were "shriven" (absolved from their sins). Pancake Day became a great way to use the foods that were given up for Lent – milk, butter, and eggs. The humble pancake has featured in recipe books as far back as 1439.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.