Growing up we used to go to my grandparent’s house New Year’s Eve for Specken Dicken. I was pretty excited when I saw an article and corresponding video about it today. I couldn’t figure out how to embed the video. But here’s the link:
http://videos.globegazette.com/p/video?id=2718249

I found a recipe online. As a vegetarian, I’d hold the meat. But, can you even buy lard anymore??

SPECKEN DICKEN

1/2 c lard
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
2 tsp anise extract (optional-may
also use anise seeds)
1 heaping tsp baking soda
4 c whole wheat or graham flour

Add enough sour milk or buttermilk to make thin as ordinary griddle cakes. Have ready slices of bacon or smoked small sausages fried or summer sausage. Drop pieces of each on cake when on the griddle and then turn when very brown.