Oh MAN is that going to get me some Google hits or what???! Actually, the topic is hot cross buns, and their origins. I bought some yesterday, because as Catholics we need to have a “food” other than the Communion wafer. I’ve always been jealous that many Jewish holidays have specific foods associated with it. I guess these buns are ours.
So anyway, I don’t know what I’m talking about, which is normal. But I did look up the origins of the hot cross bun, and the two sites I looked at (I didn’t say it was extensive research) both said they were originally a pagan food, I believe to celebrate spring. And one pointed out that the cross is a pagan symbol for the 4 seasons. So once again (see: Christmas trees) we’ve taken something pagan and made it Christian.
Actually, I don’t much care one way or the other; I grew up eating them and I like them a lot, thankyouverymuch. Now he’s a high-fat hint courtesy of my mother back when we didn’t know how bad stuff like this is for you: she used to cut them in half horizontally (so all frosting is on one half) and grill them, then put butter on the hot parts. Sort of like grilling a muffin. Mmmmmm that was good eating, and I’ve resisted trying to do one that way. Of course, she also did the same thing with stale plain donuts. THAT is a heart-busting snack worthy of Elvis, I tell you. Hot grilled donuts with extra butter? Lordy.
Also, they are no longer “one a penny, two a penny.”
