Winter Storms Meet Shrove Tuesday
When using up dairy and fats goes beyond devotion
In January 2026, winter storms just weeks before Shrove Tuesday gave writer Martha Steger a chance to get a jump on using up her dairy and fats.
I always look forward to the final day before the Christian fasting season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Historically, Shrove Tuesday was a time for confession and absolution – or shriving – before a priest. This spiritual preparation combines with festive feasting – pancakes to use up dairy and fats in the household – which gave way to traditions such as pancake races (legend of a woman running to church with a pan) and Mardi Gras (literally “Fat Tuesday”) celebrations, marking the last revelry before Lent’s austerity.
This year I was completely “shriven” before February could rear its ugly head to confront this confessing Christian. My shriving progressed as winter storms kept me housebound: I used up dairy by making buttermilk pancakes and cornbread, and then the two-percent milk by making Sally Lunn bread and tapioca pudding. Next came the butter, cream and cheese: Use one part butter (melted) mixed with two parts cream, and two parts Parmesan (shredded) stirred into the mixture – voilà Alfredo!
Yesterday’s leftovers under that glass: Were they noodles or dumplings? Either way, they’ll be good with Sauce Alfredo. And that small bit of homemade fig preserves – made from a friend’s overly laden fig tree last August? Into my maple syrup for those pancakes made with the leftover buttermilk.
Now that I was way beyond dairy, I should start on the freezer’s contents: How about that imitation crabmeat? Frozen on its expiration date, it could have led to heaven-knows-what if allowed to expire – but then “heaven-knows-what” could also be interpreted as “penitent” for Lent. Onward to the 40-day season before Easter!
Use up your dairy with Banana Cream Pie Pancakes
A freelance writer based in Midlothian, Virginia, Martha Steger has received national awards for her journalism, essays, short fiction, and poetry. She is a Marco Polo member of the Society of American Travel Writers, a past president of Virginia Professional Communicators, and a member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.
