I don't know where Raph found this, but he emailed it to me:
"22nd March
On this day half way through Lent fasting may be broken for a day.
According to an old tradition from the Moselle region on this day a young man would offer his chosen young lady a “Bretzel” or pretzel. If she accepted it he was given permission to visit her at Easter. On that day she would respond to his advances by giving him a painted egg.
Whilst the bretzels were traditionally made of a flour and water dough cooked in salt water and then baked in the oven, you will find both sweet and savoury versions on sale during March."
I will be on the lookout for sweet and savory pretzels and let you know.... i guess I should also start painting an egg.
