I was born and raised in England, so mince pies at Christmas are part of my heritage. Christmas just wouldn't be complete without mince pies, always offered to visitors during the Christmas season, and present on the Christmas dinner table even when all of us are too stuffed to eat another morsel. No matter - a few hours after dinner is digested, you can be sure all of those savory spiced mincemeat pies disappear like magic!
I've often wondered about the origin of the name, "mincemeat" which these days usually has no meat content, except perhaps beef suet, which is more often substituted by lard, vegetable shortening or oil. A little research on the net explained the mystery.
The origins of the mince pie begins with the medieval pastry, chewette which was either fried or baked. The "chewette" actually contained liver or chopped meat mixed with boiled eggs and ginger. Dried fruit and sweet ingredients would be added to the chewette's filling for variety. By the 16th century 'mince' or shred pie was considered a Christmas specialty. In the mid-17th century the liver and chopped meat was replaced by suet and meat products were no longer generally used in the 'mince' by the 19th century in both North America and Great Britain though traditional suet pies are still made it is no longer the dominant form. (Davidson,1999)
This green tomato mincemeat recipe was adapted from The Home Preserving Handbook produced by Canadian Living Magazine, one of the magazines that I have contributed to extensively in the past as a freelance writer. I first used it about five years ago, and was very pleased when it passed muster with both my mother and my mother-in-law - both of whom are English ladies who have cooked mince pies for decades.
Mock Mincemeat
8 cups finely chopped green tomatoes
4 cups finely chopped apples
3 cups raisins
½ cup chopped candied mixed peel
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
3/4 tsp allspice OR ground nutmeg
&frac13 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup apple juice or water
1/2 cup brandy (optional)
Combine all ingredients, except brandy, in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for two hours. Remove from heat, stir in brandy, if using, then ladle mincemeat into hot, steralized canning jars. Store in a cool, dry place. Makes about 7 cups.
Folklore states that mince pies are a favourite food of Father Christmas, and that one or two should be left on a plate at the foot of the chimney as a thank-you for stockings well-filled.
English tradition demands that the mince meat mixture only be stirred in a clockwise direction. To stir it anticlockwise is to bring bad luck for the coming year.
Tradition also says one should make a wish whilst eating one's first mince pie of the festive season, and that mince pies should always be eaten in silence.
Eating at least one mince pie on each of the twelve days of Christmas is said to bring luck for the coming year.
Mince pies should traditionally have a star on top, to represent the Christmas Star which led the shepherds and Magi to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
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