Do we observe Samhain on October 31st, 6 days after the new or full moon, halfway between autumn equinox and winter solstice? Are we following the Julian, Coligny, or Gregorian calendar? What about the rising of the Pleiades and if the Druids had it right, what if I don’t have any handy stone monoliths around? The truth is that try as I might, I have no fucking clue and I’ve spent years trying to time my celebrations correctly but I’m too exhausted to worry about ‘correctness’ at this stage. I start my rituals and activities on November 1st and may keep at it until November 7th or 9th. And it’s all based on personal whim. My dead folk show up when they show up.
One Samhain ritual I love is dumb suppers. Cooking for the beloved dead makes me feel deeply connected to them and sitting in silence while communing over food feels like an ancient sacred act, plus I get to show off my cooking skills.
This Samhain I’m feeling pretty heart-sick for Crete, and I know I’m mixing cultures here, but I decided to make Gigantes Plaki, giant greek butter beans baked in rich tomato sauce. When I say giant, I mean it. The dried beans I brought home from my last trip are the size of my thumbs. I made mine like a cassoulet, with tons of garden herbs, carrots, celery, and onion, homemade marinara, at least 20 cloves of garlic, and half a bottle of good red wine. I crumbled feta and Parmesan on and let it bake until the veggies were tender and the cheeses were bubbling. It’ll be the main food at tonight’s dumb supper and afterwards, I’ll perform a small candle ritual with offerings. Very simple occasion, but very meaningful nonetheless.
Are you doing a dumb supper this year and what are you cooking?
