The end of October/start of November is full of holidays, but one that certainly has not caught on in the US is Guy Fawkes Night/Day. This day is a celebrated in England, and celebrates the capture of Guy Fawkes on November 5th, 1605, who was part of a plot to blow up the House of Lords, and therefore killing King James as well. In honor of this foiled plot and the survival of the King, bonfires are lit and effigies of Guy Fawkes are paraded around in celebration every November 5th. Though the bonfire is fun, the tasty treats that follow the celebration is even more fun. One of the traditional treats is Parkin cake, a gingerbread-like sweet oatmeal cake that originated in the North of England. The cake also contains Golden Syrup, a sweet syrup that is a favorite in the UK, but pretty much unknown in the US, though it is similar to corn syrup. Honest Cooking has a good-looking Parkin cake recipe, and British Food: A History insists that Golden Syrup is a must for an authentic Parkin cake!
Parkin Cake by Edd Kimber
Eating The World 