ANGLO SAXON CUISINE

I love food. Therefore I have decided to do a little research on the food of the Anglo Saxon's. The main thing that makes the food of this time different from today is the invention of mass transportation. In other words; the Anglo Saxons were not able to go into a grocery store or market and purchase things from foreign lands. What they ate were things that were readily available to them via farming. For example; wheat, oats, and barley were commonly used among the anglo saxons. Sugar was not available in a large supply--it was most commonly used for medicinal purposes. Honey was used to sweeten things. For example, they made an alcoholic drink that was sweetened with honey called "mead" which is similar to sweetened beer. Some fruits such as apples, cherries, and plums were available to eat. Root vegetables were extremely common in this time period such as parsnips, cabbage, and carrot-like vegetables. Herring and Salmon were commonly eaten fish during this time. People used animals for both their meat and for their other body parts (such as fur). Sheep and cows were commonly eaten. Bread was commonly baked in the home. Cooking was usually done over an open fire in a large pot.

Here is an example of a typical Anglo Saxon menue:

Bread & butter

Griddled Trout with Herbs

Quail & Bacon Stew with Walnuts

Berry, Honey & Hazelnut Crumble

Pear & Apple Juice, herbal tea.

Here is a traditional desert recipie (enjoy!): 

Berry, Honey & Hazelnut Crumble

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb mixed summer fruits

3 oz. toasted hazelnuts, finely chopped

3 oz wholemeal or wholewheat brown breadcrumbs.Instructions
Put the fruits in a saucepan, add about 1 inch of water and cook gently for about 10 to 15 minutes, until soft but not mushy. Sweeten to taste with honey. Drain excess juice and save the juice. Put the fruit in an oven-proof dish.
Mix chopped hazelnuts with breadcrumbs. Use mixture to cover the fruit. Bake at 350 F. for about 20-30 minutes. Serve with cream and the warmed fruit juices.
-(http://www.marga.org/food/int/anglosaxon/crumble.html)