Flan (pie) facts for kids
A slice of flan on a plate
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| Type | Dessert or snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Europe |
| Region or state | Global |
| Associated national cuisine | Roman cuisine |
| Serving temperature | Room temperature or cold |
A flan is a delicious dish, often enjoyed as a dessert or a snack. It usually has an open, round base made of pastry or sponge cake. This base holds a yummy filling that can be either sweet or savory. Think of it like a custard tart or a bacon and egg flan!
History of Flan
Flan has a really long history! People were already making flans in Roman cuisine a very long time ago. Back then, flans were often savory, meaning they tasted salty or spicy, like an "eel flan." But sweet flans were also popular even then.
During the Middle Ages, flans became super popular all over Europe. Both sweet and savory kinds were enjoyed. Some sweet flans had ingredients like almonds, cinnamon, and sugar. Savory ones might include cheese, curd, spinach, or even fish. Flans were especially common during Lent, a time when people traditionally didn't eat meat.
What's in a Name? (Etymology)
The word "flan" that we use in English comes from older words like "flaune" and "flawn." These words came from the Old French word flaon. Today, in modern French, it's still called flan.
If we go back even further, the word comes from the early Medieval Latin word fladō. This Latin word has Germanic roots. It's connected to an ancient Indo-European word that means "flat" or "broad." This makes sense, as flans are usually flat and wide dishes!
