SC - Stefan's variation of Ras' ham recipe

[Stefan li Rous]

Linda Taylor wrote:
> 
> Question for the List:
> 
> Does anyone know how (and what time of year) New Year's was celebrated
> foodwise in period? I was getting together our "traditional" collection of foods eaten for luck on New Year's Day, and it seemed 
likely that something similar would have been going on in medieval 
kitchens.
 
> I also recall that the New Year used to be considered to start in May. When did we switch to January? Was January 1 a special day, or was it 
part of the general Christmas season? Inquiring minds want to know...


Johann, religious anthropolgist, replies:

Jan.1 was the old Roman New Years in honor of the god of time, Janus,
ie. January! In the Greek world the new year began with May 1 the return 
of Persephone. 
  One of Christianity's single greatest talent is the ability to adapt 
itself to its surroundings and to claim them as its own. This is 
admitedly both a blessing and a curse to those cultures it comes in 
contact with. 

  For Christians, the start of the new year might vary from the 1st 
Sunday of Advent(about the 30th of Nov.) to the Feast of Pentecost( 50 
days after Easter/Passover, comemorating the Descent of the Holy 
Spirit), in the West. 
  In the East (Greco/Slavic,Arabic sphere) it may begin with either, 
September the 8th, the Birth of the Theotokos(Virgin Mary), as the 
initialization of the Incarnation /Redemption, or with Pasch (Easter 
/Passover), the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox.  It is worth 
note that the older measurements in the Christian scope are those of 
Jewish origin and only when coming in contact with the Gentiles did the 
various churches begin changing the point of origin for their new year 
celebrations.  

As for Special Foods, nearly anything that symbolizes plenty of fatness, 
freshness, sweetness, and richness are used, but usually placed next to 
sourness, saltiness, preserved foods to remind us of the need for 
balance and to welcome both kinds of tears, joy and pain. These 
guidelines seem to govern every new years meal regardless of clime or 
culture!! 7 sweets and 7 sours, 3 beasts, 3 birds, 3 fish, 3 root 
vegetables, 3 green vegetables, 3 grains, and 3 fruits!! or at least 
multiples of these numbers!!  One might strive to show a wide diversity 
by the use of 6 fish, 3 fresh and 3 preserved or freshwater vs. ocean, 
or beasts and bird and fruits from the wild <and> the farm.
  
Johann, in the midst of rinsing lutefisk for tomorrow!!!

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