May Day or Beltane is the first day of May and the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. In some places it marks the beginning of summer, in others, mine included, it is the midpoint of spring. It’s still a bit chilly, but wildflowers are starting to bloom and those “spring” vegetables like radish and asparagus are just starting to come to life. In Japan, the relatively modern holiday of Greenery Day is celebrated just after May Day- and I like the idea of a day to celebrate spring, flowers, gardens and being outside.
One of the most important parts of European May Day celebrations were bonfires. Livestock were driven between big bonfires to protect them for the summer. This was the time of year that they went out to pasture and people believed they needed protection from fairies & spirits. Whole towns came together to make the fires, and some still do. It was traditional to cook over these fires, cakes and bannock and other traditional foods.
To celebrate we always have a May Day bonfire. It’s typically just starting to get warm where we live and it’s a perfect excuse to spend some time outside enjoying the spring weather. To honor the fairies and cook over our own May Day fire, we made these foraged herbal marshmallow wands to toast over the fire.
Marshmallow Wands
You can make these marshmallow with herbal foraged ingredients, or just makes whatever flavor of marshmallow you like. You may even be able to find store bought star shaped marshmallows if you want to save time!
Ingredients:
- your favorite homemade marshmallow recipe (I like this cookbook)
- your favorite herbs or foraged greens (cleavers, violets and deadnettle are good early season options)
- sticks
Method:
You can use any homemade marshmallow recipe you like and replace the water with a tea made from the herbs. We added a little blue color too because the tea didn’t provide much. Follow the directions otherwise.
Spread your marshmallow mixture on a sheet to a thickness of about an inch or so and allow to set up.
Next, cut them out with a star shaped cutter.
Last, the best part, spear them onto sticks and toast in the fire! (Just try and do most of your wild gesticulating… errr I mean magic… before they are melty and hot.)