Lesson 3: Religious food, fast food
Fast Food
We think of the Middle Ages as the time of leisurely banquets – but many people needed their food at once, without worry, just like today.
You could buy fast food in any major commercial centre in the Middle Ages. There were commercial cooks who specialised in making food that was ready when its consumers were ready to eat it. This was especially the case in places like London and Paris, with people demanding food including transient labourers and travellers, boatmen and people whose housing lacked proper kitchen facilities. The working poor might buy a custard tart for a quick meal in Paris, for instance, or a pre-cooked bird to take home to the family.
Instant food was surprisingly varied –pasties and pies of various types, cooked meat, cheesecakes, waffles, wafer mashed peas (hot), beans, cheeses, or festive bread. You could bring even your own meat to some places and have it cooked into a pastry, or buy a pork sausage.
Pies and pastries were a very popular food item. They cooked well and lasted well and served up easily, and they could be adapted to use whatever ingredients were available at the time. They were also important fast food.
Some fast food could be bought at taverns from about the twelfth century, or from small shops or booths. If the small shops sold ale, they would normally have a pole outside (England) or a bush or vine if they were selling wine. Most did not sell food until after the Middle Ages – and the food that was sold was pretty basic e.g. pies. More solid food could be obtained at some inns, along with lodging.
