Collection: Archangels

Michaelmas is another of our “featured” family feast days. There’s just so much fun, food, and conversation to be had around the archangels, and specifically about St. Michael’s defeat of the devil.

These appetizers can be found in the classic 1888 Victorian cookbook Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management. I can’t resist them for this feast day! The “angels” are shucked oysters in Mrs. Beeton’s, but other recipes use scallops. We prefer the latter since they’re more readily available. “Devils” are usually pitted prunes, but can also be dates

Get it? Because St. Michael has a spear? This recipe works with thin or thick asparagus, just adjust the cooking time as necessary.

The traditional dinner for Michaelmas is goose. But, nine years after I first blogged about being unable to interest my family in the idea of goose, or even procure one if I could, I still . . . haven’t. We have continued to enjoy the compromise of cornish game hens!