FLY GRAVEYARD
Posted: Thursday, 30 March 2006 |
Well, due to a strange set of circumstances, okay, okay, the AA Patrol man got lost and I offered to show him the way home in exchange for a lift. Mother had left the trunk with the lofty peak, sewing machine and knitting patterns behind, just as well you reminded me Annie B. While back collecting the collectables I popped into Greggs in Tollcross Rd to pick up some tatty scones etc. Anyway, while I'm in this strange wummin, by the name of Lucky 'liven Linda, who I'm sure I recognise fae the wash hoose, is heard from behind me in the line to ask for "a couple oh yer loverly flies graveyards please."
Well, you could have scraped me aff the fler ah wis laughin that much. Turns out this is a colloquialism for fruit slice. Now, forgetting the cheek of the beesom in asking me my age, I was laughing so hard I forgot to pick up my chicken tikka softee, luckily Linda hollered across the road and delivered it into my safe hands. So here as promised Linda is your menchy. And for those like myself who had never heard of it here indeed is a picture of the culinary delight that is a flies graveyard!!
Well, you could have scraped me aff the fler ah wis laughin that much. Turns out this is a colloquialism for fruit slice. Now, forgetting the cheek of the beesom in asking me my age, I was laughing so hard I forgot to pick up my chicken tikka softee, luckily Linda hollered across the road and delivered it into my safe hands. So here as promised Linda is your menchy. And for those like myself who had never heard of it here indeed is a picture of the culinary delight that is a flies graveyard!!
Comments
We know them as 'flies cemeteries' here in the deep south
Plaid from New Zealand
You've never heard of a flies graveyard Grannie? This isn't a local colloquialism, they are called flies graveyards in both Arran and Fife too so probably known as the same all over Scotland.
Sunny from Arran
In the Borders we called them fly cemeteries.
Mad Lamb from Southerner Incomer
I didn't realise Alcoholics Anonymous mounted patrols along Tollcross Rd but I supose it makes sense.
calumanabellsaforeyego from Haddows House Habost Lewis
Well, in that case I'm glad to hear its not my age, so there Linda, also very glad to have escaped Tollcross Road before it was over run by fifers and people from the deep south. It was bad enough last year when the arabs in full regalia fae Dundee turned up at the Bells before the last match of the season. Mind you, considering how that match ended pehaps least said soonest mended.
GrannyE. DBE.RM from Auchenshuggle whatchin the numpties tryin to drive
Phew. Good to know that you're bringing the Auchenshuggle Treasure Trove with you. Nice to know that we're all up to date with currant affairs now as well. Many thanks, GrannyE and kind regards to your Mother.
Annie B from the usual
They have always been known as fly cemeteries where I hail from.
Dianne from Glasga (or Glasgow)
yep, fly's cemetery here too
scallowawife from shetland
they are fly cemeterys in canada too
al rodda from brampton, ont, canada
On a recent trip to Scotland, I learned the recipe I've been searching for since my great grandma passed away is not called currant slices, but is locally known as fly cemetery! Would love if someone could share the recipe.
carol from chicago, il
The recipe bellow is the one that was sent to me 15 years ago from a member of the Daughters of Scotia Lodge. My grandmother, her sister and my aunt belonged to the lodge when they were alive. Here’s the recite: FLY CEMETERY FILLING 1 LB. - CURRANTS OR RAISINS 1 CUP - BROWN SUGAR 2 TABLESPOONS - CORNSTARCH COVER WITH WATER AND SIMMER A FEW MINUTES (2 OR 3 MINUTES). ADD 2 TABLESPOONS OF CORNSTARCH DISSOLVED IN A LITTLE COLD WATER ADD CORNSTARCH AFTER THE FIRST THREE MINUTES OF COOKING). ADD CURRANTS OR RAISINS AND COOK A FEW MINUTES (4 MINUTES). CHILL IN REFRIGERATOR OVERNIGHT. PASTRY 5 1/2 CUPS - FLOUR 1 LB. LARD COMBINE THE FOLLOWING: 1 EGG, 1 TABLESPOON - VINEGAR, AND WATER TO MAKE 1 CUP OF LIQUID. (POUR 1/3 OF LIQUID IN ONE PART OF FLOUR, MIX; THEN POUR THE NEXT 1/3; MIX, THEN POUR THE LAST 1/3 OF LIQUID INTO THE PASTRY, MIX AND KNEED THE DOUGH.) WRAP THE DOUGH AND REFRIGERATE DOUGH OVERNIGHT. THEN, DIVIDE DOUGH INTO 1/3'S. TO FORM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAKE, ROLL THE FIRST PASTRY ON THE TRAY FOR THE BOTTOM. SPREAD FILLING INTO THE BOTTOM PASTRY. MAKE THE TOP LAYER OF PASTRY BY USING ANOTHER 1/3 OF THE PASTRY. PLACE THIS DOUGH BETWEEN TWO SHEETS OF WAXED PAPER AND ROLL OUT TO FORM THE TOP. PLACE OVER THE TOP OF THE FILLING. CRIMP THE TOP AND BOTTOM PASTRIES TOGETHER TO FORM THE CASING. PRICK THE TOP PASTRY LIGHTLY WITH A FORK THE SAME WAY THAT IS DONE WHEN MAKING SHORTBREAD. BEAT ONE EGG AND BRUSH EGG OVER TOP OF PASTRY AND CHILL IN REFRIGERATOR FOR ONE HOUR BEFORE BAKING. BAKE AT 450 DEGREES FOR 15 MINUTES; THEN, REDUCE HEAT TO 375 DEGREES AND CONTINUE BAKING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES (CHECK AFTER 20 MINUTES). SPRINKLE TOP WITH POWDERED SUGAR. Enjoy!
David Scott from Johnstown, PA, USA
After reading the Fly Cemetery recipe again, I that it needed some clarification Two things in particular: 1. Divide the kneaded do into halves (1/2s) NOT thirds. I don’t remember if I transcribed this incorrectly from the hand written letter I( received. 2. Do not use the egg in the current (or raisin) mixture; or in the dough, itself. Use the egg as a wash over the top of the top layer of rolled dough covering the currents (or raisins) that are on top of the bottom layer of rolled dough. I hope that this makes the above recipe make more sense.
David Scott from Johnstown, PA
I'm delighted to find this page! My grandmother (born a MacNair in Virginia in 1897) used to give us flat, raisin-filled pastries she called "bug cakes". I've looked for them often since, but never found anything like them. I think you've solved the mystery!
Mary Llewellyn from Los Angeles, CA, USA
My grandma used to call this fly trap cake. She never wrote the recipe down and made it all from memory after she passed away know one knew how to make it. Thank you. You have just made my day.
Karen from Canada
How exciting to find others who know about fly's cemetery. My mum who grew up in Glasgow used to make it for my sisters and I when we were young. She passed away and the recipe had never been written down. Thank you all!
Janet from South Carolina
I gew up in the Monterey area of California. My grandmother was from Glasgow, and made us fly cemeteries -- as a 9 year old, I could trade fly cemeteries for almost anything at lunch -- the children's gross factor, I suppose. Anyway, I've had my grandmother's recipe for years, but many of the terms in it meant nothing to me. Thank you.
Judith from Oregon
These cakes are know as Gurr Cakes in Dublin (possibly from a bastardised version of Norman French "Guerre")
Denise Courtney from Dublin, Republic of Ireland
BEST DAYS AT SCHOOL DINNERS IN GLASGOW WERE THE DAYS OF FLY CEMETERY AND CUSTARD
EDGAR from FLORIDA
I was delighted to find the receipe for Fly's Graveyard. I made this for my boys when they were small and now can make this for my grandchildren. Thank you so much
Patricia Aylen from Hamilton, Ontario Canada
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