Goose Day (Michaelmas)

"Traditionally, in the British Isles, a well fattened goose, fed on the stubble from the fields after the harvest, is eaten to protect against financial need in the family for the next year; and as the saying goes:

“Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day,
Want not for money all the year”.

Sometimes the day was also known as “Goose Day” and goose fairs were held.  Even now, the famous Nottingham Goose Fair is still held on or around the 3rd of October.  Part of the reason goose is eaten is that it was said that when Queen Elizabeth I heard of the defeat of the Armada, she was dining on goose and resolved to eat it on Michaelmas Day.  Others followed suit.  It could also have developed through the role of Michaelmas Day as the debts were due; tenants requiring a delay in payment may have tried to persuade their landlords with gifts of geese!"

(source) 

As we don't have lovely festivals like Thanksgiving here, i like to make the best of what we have, so on Michaelmas always cook a goose.

Last Christmas I boned the goose instead of just roasting it, which left the meat much more moist than it had ever turned out before. Because although its a fatty bird, shes big boned and the meat part always seems the hardest to keep moist.

This Michaelmas I decided to the the same thing again and it turned out just as well. Geese this time of year are smaller than they would be at Christmas but I actually prefer the flavour I think as the birds have spent the summer eating greens.

After trying lots of different sources for geese, I now always order from Judy Goodman at Goodmans Geese. There birds for some reason just come out tasting better and its so easy to order online, just make sure you order early as there is only 1 weekly delivery date.

The recipe I found online here. for Roast Goose with apple brandy.

The only adjustment I made this time was to add some traditional stuffing to the mix to bulk up and fill the gaps.

It turned out really we and of course we will be eating left over goose all week! Happy goose day!!!!!