The Epicure's Almanac or Diary of Good Living
September 29th : ROAST GOOSE
Although geese are fit for the table as early as the middle of July, I have chosen Michaelmas-day as the one on which the majority of families are in the habit of first ordering it for table.
As it would be a “”scandal on Queen Elizabeth” to doubt for a moment that her Majesty was employed upon this savoury bird when she heard the glad tidings of the Armada’s defeat, Anno Domini,1588, though certainly somewhat earlier than the 29th of September, be that as it may, it has been gravely stated, that, to commemorate the event, those of her subjects who were no ways ambitious of submitting to Catholic invasion, caused divers and sundry geese to be slaughtered and eaten upon the anniversary of that glorious day, which is doubly impressed upon the minds of epicures by the motto Elizabeth selected for the commemorative medal: “Dux femina facti."
Having paid due attention to the cleaning, picking, and singeing of the bird, let the following stuffing be prepared:
Two ounces of undressed onion, and one of sage leaves, must be first chopped small; a salt-spoonful of salt, and a third of that quantity of pepper, must be mixed with four ounces of finely grated crumbs of bread, the whole moistened with the yolk and white of an egg wellwhisked. In putting the stuffing into the bird, give it space wherein to swell, under the action of the fire; when you have put the goose upon the spit, secure the neck and Pope's nose with twine, to prevent the stuffing from falling out, and to keep the bird steady.
A large goose will require somewhat more than an hour and a half's roasting; be sure it be well basted, and sent to table of a rich brown hue, with a boat full of gravy sauce, another of apple sauce (which see), a n d some newly made mustard.