There is rarely any need to have an excuse to eat bacon, but the Monday before Shrove Tuesday (1st March 2022) offers a good reason to munch on the porcine morsels – for it is Collop Monday.

Rather overlooked now, Collop Monday was traditionally the day before Shrove Tuesday (aka, pancake day) and would have been part of the Shrovetide celebrations during the days before Lent.

The collops of which it is named from refers to meat — traditionally cured meats such as bacon — and would be eaten to use up the last of the meats that were not expected to be edible once Lent was over and eating meats was allowed again.

A traditional supper would consist of thick slices of bacon along with eggs, and the fats could be saved for the following day to help with making the pancakes.

I think eating a bacon-based meal the evening before pancake day is a tradition that should be restored.

Mudchute City Farm in the snow

A future bacon supply at Mudchute City Farm.

In Cornwall, they also have a tradition akin to Halloween’s trick or treat, known as Nickanan Night which is carried out on Collop Monday.

(updated – 23rd Feb 2022)

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15 comments
  1. Neil says:

    Pigs are, like all animals, sentient beings and as intelligent, arguably more so than the dogs we welcome into our homes and love as a members of our own families. Eating pig flesh, such as bacon, is also terrible for your health. 16 million pigs are killed every year in the UK and 70% of these are factory farmed in terrible conditions.

    Empathise with pigs, give up eating meat and live a healthier, happier life without this violence on your conscience.

    Check out these links to learn more:
    http://www.viva.org.uk/campaigns/pigs/pigreport02.htm
    http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/hidden-lives-pigs.aspx &
    http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/CAMPAIGNS/vegetarianism/ALL/514/

    • IanVisits says:

      There is a variant of Godwin’s Law that says any argument supported by a link to the Peta website is automatically invalidated.

    • Mmm Bacon says:

      Bacon is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

    • CojakUK says:

      mmm… Bacon.

      Between thick buttered white slices of a fresh cottage loaf.

      Must go….

    • Byargh says:

      I would argue that bacon (and all pork products) is sometimes the most ethical choice as pigs are never victims of non-stunned halal slaughter.

    • Mike says:

      I don’t mean to be a person who dismisses ethical arguments with facetious comments but…

      … when I see “Neil” I can’t help but think of Nigel Planer in a wig with a big pot of lentils.

    • Maurice G Reed says:

      He he he, I know what you mean.

    • The clowns of synthesis says:

      You are so right. So let´s eat more dogs and less pigs.

    • Roy Tindle says:

      Eating pig flesh is bad for your health? Peer reviewed research to back up that fallacy?

  2. Andrew says:

    Less Lust, By Less Protein… And Sitting.

  3. Colin Gymer says:

    If (insert choice of supreme being) had not intended us to eat pig, he would not have made them on bacon.

  4. Maurice G Reed says:

    I can hear heards of vegans heading this way to protest!

  5. Simon says:

    I’ve said this before, but I suspect if we all went Vegan then most domestic livestock would be extinct within a generation. Who would chose to protect sheep over pandas if we didn’t use the wool, milk or meat?

    • Annabel says:

      And indeed, the only excuse for pigs is eating them! I don’t eat meat every day, but for ethical reasons would not go vegetarian, far less vegan! I want to see cows, sheep, pigs and poultry on farms and in fields.

  6. McDonalds says:

      What to Do for Shrove (or Fat) Tuesday Shrove Tuesday comes from an old English word meaning “to confess,” since it was customary to go to confession before the beginning of Lent. It was also customary to use up meats, fats, and dairy products before entering the Lenten period of fasting; this led to the day’s nicknames: Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) or Pancake Tuesday. Here are some ideas for celebrating Shrove Tuesday:   1.

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