We're all familiar with pretzels, but did you know about their spiritual and Lenten origins? Clare Lazzuri explains.
Is there anything better than the sight of a child praying?
Especially if it’s your child. When our 18-month-old folds her hands or
attempts to bless herself it’s a reassuring moment as a parent that you must be
doing something right.
Did you know that centuries ago a few monks were so inspired by the sight of a praying child that they were inspired to invent a classic snack?
When’s the last time you had a soft pretzel? You know, the kind you get at malls or movie theatres, all hot and buttery and salty. My 11-year-old daughter is a huge fan and we can’t make a trip to the city (luckily two hours away and infrequent) without getting a fresh pretzel.
While you may be familiar with the addictive bready treat, you may not have been aware of its spiritual origins, and Lenten ones, too. Several historical accounts trace the pretzel back to the fifth century, when either French or Italian monks used scraps of unused dough shaped to look like the praying arms of children folded against their chests. The monks offered the baked dough to children as a reward for knowing their Bible verses. The Italian word for “little reward” is “pretiola,” later to become pretzel. Other origins point to the Latin word “bracellae” or “little arms” which preceded the German “bretzel.” Along with representing the prayers of children, the three holes formed by the dough were meant to represent the Trinity.
The Lenten aspect of pretzels seems to be that because the dough could be made without eggs, dairy, and fat, the snack became popular among Christians during the penitential season. There was a time when the Lenten fast included all those ingredients. Obviously, our Lenten observances today are not so strict, but making a batch of pretzels during this holy season is still a great way to keep your family focused.
The idea of making something in your kitchen in 2018 that has its origins in a monastery somewhere in Europe 1,400 years ago is not only a good history lesson for the kids, but a lesson in the longevity of the traditions of our faith. We know in our heads that the Church has been around for more than two millennia, but when we start to realize how many of our traditions, foods, and cultural experiences are rooted in the history of our Church, it really drives home the way our Catholic faith has shaped our world.
Not only can you stand in your modern kitchen and mix up this simple dough, but you can tell your kids a little bit about monastic life in the process. Have them picture those monks looking at those scraps of dough centuries ago, thinking of children in need, and seeing an opportunity for evangelization. We really are not that different! We are still looking for ways to teach children about the faith, to spread the faith to others. What better language to use than the universal language of food?
Don’t forget the Lenten connection. Remind your kids that just like they are doing with their Lenten sacrifices and activities, others have been doing long before them. Sometimes, for children, Lent becomes merely a countdown to Easter with the promise of treats and celebration. It’s a means to an end. It is our job as parents (or grandparent, godparents, aunts and uncles, etc.) to help them see the beauty and purpose of the Lenten journey. The pretzel story reminds of all three pillars of Lent: prayer, especially of children; fasting, using a simple food to remind of us our faith; almsgiving, inspired by the generosity of the early monks.
Another reason to go ahead and make a batch of pretzels at home is because it’s not that hard. Some people are intimidated by using yeast or making anything that resembles bread. Pretzel dough is quite forgiving. My 11-year-old was almost completely able to follow on her own the recipe for Ballpark Pretzels from America’s Test Kitchen. These were quite good, though next time we would cut back on the salt before the final baking time. Full disclosure, we did find it difficult to keep the three holes distinct, especially as the dough puffs and spreads when it bakes, but we are pretty sure the Trinity understands!
We have also tried the 30-minute pretzel recipe found online at Sally’s Baking Addiction, which was a great place for a novice to start. If you are interested in a whole-grain version, check out the recipe for 100% Whole Wheat Pretzels at Catholic Cuisine.
If you can’t bake a batch, there’s no shame in grabbing a bag of hard pretzels from the grocery store. They make a quick snack and can just as easily spark a great family discussion on their spiritual history and how Lent is going for your family.
Who knew a twisted piece of dough could have so much meaning? After this Lent, your kids may never look at a pretzel again without being reminded of a longstanding faith tradition.
Lazzuri, a mother of six, writes from her home in Nova Scotia.