Pretzels for Lent

Though the true origin of the pretzel is unknown, legend states that it has Christian and Lenten significance.

Our church bulletin states that the common pretzel was created for Lent during the Middle Ages, when people abstained from meat, eggs, milk, butter and lard.  Some say pretzels originated in Germany, while others say they started with monks in Southern France or Northern Italy.  If you turn a pretzel "upside down" where the two humps are on bottom, it symbolizes the way children used to pray - with their arms crossed and hands resting on opposite shoulders.  Some also say that the three open areas of the pretzel symbolize the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  If you turn the pretzel 180 degrees, it resembles a heart and reminds us of Christ's love and sacrifice.  And breaking the pretzel bread while eating reminds us of the Last Supper, when Jesus broke the bread and passed the cup.  Here's an interesting article about the different histories of the pretzel.

Here is a simple pretzel recipe, even though it still uses dairy.  So, if we're going to cheat, let's go all the way and make the mall pretzel recipe here.  Or, let's just go to the mall and get some of those tasty pretzels...