What are pancakes? Pancakes are a type of flatbread prepared from a sweet batter that is cooked on a hot griddle or in a frying pan. They exist in several variations in many different local cuisines. Most pancakes are quick breads, although some are also made using a yeast-raised or fermented batter.
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What is this Holiday for? This day is for making, sharing and enjoying pancakes! A great way to celebrate Pancakes is by hosting a great pancake party! (see party planning), (Party Food), and don't forget all the different types of pancakes you can make-
Shrove Tuesday is another holiday that is about eating pancakes, (also known as Pancake Day & International Pancake day), because it is customary to eat pancakes on this day.
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In Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, which is also known as "Pancake Day" and, particularly in Ireland, as "Pancake Tuesday". (Shrove Tuesday is better known in the United States, France and other countries as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.) Historically, pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday so that the last of the fatty and rich foods could be used up before Lent.
It is traditional to turn pancakes over by tossing them in the air using the pan and without using any other implements. This is a tricky manoeuvre that requires practice to perfect.
Charity or school events are often organized on Pancake Day. One popular event is a "pancake race" in which each participant carries a pancake in a frying pan. All runners must toss their pancakes as they run and catch them in the frying pan. This event is said to have originated in the town of Olney, England in 1444 when a housewife was still busy frying pancakes to eat before the Lenten fast when she heard the bells of St Peter and St Paul's Church calling her to the Shriving Service. Eager to get to church, she ran out of her house still holding the frying pan complete with pancake, and still wearing her apron and headscarf. Pancake Day is widely celebrated in Australia; ready-made pancake mixes often sell out.
Every Shrove Tuesday since 1950 the towns of Olney, England and Liberal, Kansas, USA have competed in the International Pancake Race. Only local women may compete; they race along a previously agreed course and their times are compared to determine the international winner.
The Rehab UK Parliamentary Pancake Race also takes place every Shrove Tuesday, with teams from the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Fourth Estate battling it out for the title of Parliamentary Pancake Race Champions. The fun relay race is all about raising awareness of the work of national brain injury charity, Rehab UK, and the needs of people with acquired brain injury.
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Pancakes are also called: Flapjacks, Hotcakes, Griddlecakes, Silver Dollars,
- Scottish and Irish pancakes, locally known as drop scones, pancakes or griddle cakes.
- known in the UK as Scotch pancakes or drop-scones.
- in northern England, Australia and New Zealand as pikelets.
- In Austria pancakes are called Palatschinke.
- In Hungary, pancakes are called palacsinta.
- In the Netherlands and Flanders, pancakes are called Pannenkoeken.
- In Poland pancakes are called Naleśniki .
- In Russia, Poland and Ukraine, blintz and blini.
- Scandinavian pancakes are similar to the French crêpes.
- American or Canadian pancakes (also known as hotcakes, griddlecakes, or flapjacks in the U.S.) Small ones are called Silver Dollars.
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Restaurants share in the holiday: IHOP restaurants in Philadelphia, South New Jersey and Delaware celebrated National Pancake Month with a fundraiser for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Restaurant guests were invited to donate $1.00 or more for a Funny Face "Paper Pancake." Pancake cutouts adorned the walls of the 22 IHOP restaurants through the end of February. The Delaware Valley IHOP's donated all proceeds from the sale of the Paper Funny Face Pancakes to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2002 Daisy Day Campaign.
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Other February observances:
- Presidents Day (United States, third Monday)
- Dominican Republic Independence: February 27
- Leap Year/ Leap Day: February 29 (Every 4 years, with some exceptions)
Research also:
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