Last year, I wrote a story called "Soul Cakes" which appears with "What Time Is the Tea Kettle?"
and is set in the same universe.
A soul cake is a real thing. A few hundred years ago, they were a common Halloween "treat" that, as my wife says, the 1% would hand out to the poor to make themselves feel better. Seriously, the poor and orphans would go door to door (or whatever passed for that at the time) and collect soul cakes. Eating one was supposed to deliver a soul from perdition. It's a tradition that has passed out of style.
[The subtle reader may gain a valuable insight into the main character of the Tea Kettle world by paying attention to the whole soul cake thing in the story.]
However, in style or not, we decided to make some! Which means, I wanted to make some, so my wife did! Hey, I shopped and roasted the walnuts! But, um, she really did all the rest. Here's a photo story of the process:
Yum! Souls taste good!
To celebrate "Soul Cake" day, I'm running a special deal on "What Time Is the Tea Kettle?"! From now through Halloween, It's less than a buck! That's right, for just $0.99, you can pick up two great stories! And eat some souls. Don't let this deal pass you by.
That's a really cool tradition and they look good too!
ReplyDeleteJKIR,F!: Oh, they are. They are.
DeleteTake out the raisins and I'd try it.
ReplyDeleteAlex: Raisins are not necessary but are probably pretty authentic.
DeleteIn case anyone wants the recipe, we basically followed this: http://www.godecookery.com/godeboke/foodtv/foodtv.html
ReplyDeleteThe kids liked these, as Andrew and I did. They are a bit sweet, a bit perfumed with the various spices, and the texture is on the heavy and chewy side despite the fact that they are yeast-leavened (since there is no rising period).
ALL of the kids liked them, and ALL of the kids never like anything.
DeleteWell, the soul cakes look good at least. I'm kind of glad that it's out of style, though. There's no way the rich would even bother with it these days anyway. How much soul is there in one serving?
ReplyDeleteJeanne: I think that depends on how many souls you mix into the dough.
DeleteYeah, I would definitely enjoy eating those. Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteTAS: I think you would. Happy Halloween to you!
DeleteSo what's in them? They look sort of like scones with chocolate chips. You're not going to make me go google this, are you?
ReplyDeleteI remember "Soul Cakes." That was a great story. When's another book coming ou?
Briane: Lots of different things can go in them. Ours had walnuts, raisins, and dates.
DeleteChocolate chips, though, definitely do NOT belong in them.
There are other things on the way, just none of them are quite finished yet.