Tonight across the country there will be pancake parties, pancake races, pancake disasters…! (Or if you’re like me, you got your flabby pancake failures out of the way last night, perfected for today!)

The history of Shrove Tuesday is the ‘feast before the fast’, coming the day before Lent begins, in the Christian Calendar. The expression “Shrove Tuesday” comes from the word shrive, meaning “confess“. Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics.

The earliest records of pancakes appears in the 15th century when the custom derived from a need to use up old eggs, milk and butter before the traditional period of Lent forbid their use.

Children would go “shroving”, singing songs and reciting poetry for food or money. This included “lend crocking” which was a kind of medieval trick-or-treat. So be prepared with extra maple syrup.

There are more and more ways to make your pancakes plant-based, and remove the need to rely on animal products.

If you’re looking to do something trendy, why not head down to the new Vegan and Raw food restaurant at LA Suite West, in London’s Hyde Park? Their plant-based restaurant is doing a special vegan and gluten free Pancake Day feast – sweet and savoury.

Or if you’re cooking at home, then you can check out these excellent recipes:

• The Five Minute vegan pancake
• if you’re looking for something warming, these vegan spiced pumpkin pancakes are a treat
• Easy and gluten free? (from the wonderful Oh She Glows)
• Crepe-style, for the more sophisticated diner

And if you make some great plant-based pancakes, why not Tweet us your pictures to @AnimalsCount or share with us on Facebook

image of vegan pancakes (c) yesica