Mouthfuls of social history

Traditional snacks for people on the go

Sir, – The recent discussion on sausage roll gentrification and “pigs in blankets” (Letters, December 13th and 14th) caused me to reflect on the large variety of snacks combining meat in pastry such as Cornish pasties, samosas, pierogi, or the ultimate innovation for eating on the go, the “Bedfordshire clanger”.

The clanger has a savoury filling at one end (usually roast pork) and a sweet filling at the other (often plum jam), providing the eater with both main course and dessert. Rather than just gentrified street food, these traditional snacks were early convenience foods that workers could bring with them to the fields or mines, without the need for packaging or cutlery.

Food history is fascinating and provides a window into social history and world cultural heritage. Interested parties can learn more from TU Dublin’s MA Gastronomy and Food Studies. We are currently taking applications for September 2024. – Yours, etc,

DR MÁIRTÍN Mac Con IOMAIRE

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Technological University Dublin,

Grangegorman,

Dublin 7.