A dish for St Ethelburga's feast day

Eat frumenty now

In ancient times, “furmity” was “an usual dish” to eat at this time (William Hone, The Every-Day Book, or a Guide to the Year, William Tegg and Co., London, 1878; 1825-26 edition online). Furmity, also known as furmenty but more commonly as frumenty, is a porridge-like dish of wheat boiled in milk and usually sweetened and spiced. Different recipes added milk, eggs or broth. Frumenty was served as a side-dish to meats, traditionally venison. The name derives from the Middle English, from Middle French frumentee, from frument grain, from Latin frumentum, from frui to enjoy. It was a popular food dish in the Middle Ages in Europe.

For several centuries, frumenty was part of the traditional Christmas meal in parts of England, and it was also common at Lent. Some sources state that furmenty was eaten at the first American Thanksgiving ceremony ...

Tagged: medieval, food, calendar+customs