Mince-pies

Mince-pies, an important item of English Christmas fare, composed of very numerous ingredients (suet, raisins, apples, lemons, currants, figs, almonds, flavoured with nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, &c.) variously compounded and baked in pastry. Formerly mutton or neat's-tongue was an essential ingredient. The shape of the crust was not originally round, but is said to have been intended to represent the manger in which the Holy Child was laid.