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From December 25th to January 6th, the festive period was marked by indulgent feasting, particularly for those who could afford it. In England and Northern Europe, the tradition kicked off with the presentation of the boar's head during lavish banquets. The popular carol "The Boar's Head Carol" beautifully captures the essence of these festivities, celebrating the arrival of this prestigious dish.
The Boar's Head: A Culinary Tradition
In an authentic Medieval meal, the boar's head would often be hollowed out, stuffed, boiled, and paraded into the banquet hall, representing wealth and status. While sourcing an actual boar's head can prove difficult today, one can recreate the essence of this dish using boar shoulder or pork in a traditional recipe.