Traditional Welsh Cakes
ST. DAVID’S DAY
I had planned to write and publish this post on Welsh St David’s Day in March. But then,this year in March, life took a threw us a curve ball, when the pandemic became very real and a bit frightening. At the time, I seemed to be glued to the TV news 24/7, and forgot all about St. David’s Day.
This national day, celebrates St David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on the date of his death, in 589 AD. Usually I give thought to St. David’s Day, because I have Welsh Heritage on my fathers maternal side. My great great grandparents John Taylor and Martha Lloyd came to Australia from Wales in 1841/42. They were both born in Haverfordwest, in the county of Pembrokeshire, and married in the parish of St.Martins at Haverfordwest.
WELSH CAKES
I’m sure John and Martha would have eaten Welsh Cakes, as they are a traditional food of Wales and very popular. Traditionally, cooked on a heavy cast iron griddle, they are made from basic pantry staples. They can be served with just butter or fancied up with jam and cream. They are definitely a favourite of mine, but I cook them in a frypan instead of a griddle.
I first came across welsh cakes when I rode my bike across the south of Wales with my daughter in 2004. Though we were there in June, the weather was reported as being unseasonably cold and wet. Most days we would stop at a small local cafe for lunch. Invariably welsh cakes would be listed on the menu as Welsh Tea. A Welsh Tea was served with jam and cream in the style of an English Devonshire Tea.
There were many days as I struggled against the wind up the steep hills of Wales, often during heavy rain, that the only thing that kept me pedalling was the thought of Welsh Cakes for lunch. They were very filling, so they kept me going for the rest of the day, and the calories were quickly burnt off.
I came across the postcard below, which I brought home from Wales, when I was sorting through holiday photos. It brought back many lovely memories of a great cycling holiday
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I love Welsh cakes. I tried them for the first time in Tintern and loved them. I’ve made them a few times at home, but also make Singing Hinnies which is a northern version made without sugar – all the sweetness comes from the fruit – and lard, which gives a shorter finish. Same same but ever so slightly different…
Thanks Jo. I haven’t heard of Singing Ninnies. Will check them out
It just so happened that I blogged the recipe…(of course I did…) https://andanyways.com/2020/04/25/singing-hinnies/
Great. So I won’t have to google it. I’ll pop over and check out your recipe
Thank you for posting the Welsh cakes recipe. Two years back I blogged about my Welsh gg grandfather, and began my series on St. David’s Day https://mollyscanopy.com/2018/03/st-davids-day-introducing-francis-hugh-owen-from-wales/ Now I have a recipe to put me in touch with my Welsh roots, I plan to get out the griddle tomorrow morning 🙂
That’s great Molly. I’ll check out your St David’s Day post. Sounds interesting