Vleesdag

"Vleesdag" (meat day) is a Dutch and Flemish concept referring to a traditional day of the week when a meat-based meal is the centerpiece of dinner.

Historically, this was often linked to:

• Religious tradition:Especially in Catholic regions, Friday was a day of abstinence from meat (visdag/fish day). Sunday, after church, was often the day for a special roast or better cut of meat.
• Economics:Meat was expensive. Having one or two designated "vleesdagen" (like Thursday and Sunday) helped families budget.

In modern times, the term is still used, but often in these contexts:

1. Meal planning:People might designate specific days for meat dishes (e.g., "Woensdag is onze vleesdag" - Wednesday is our meat day).
2. Flexitarianism/Vegetarianism:As people reduce meat consumption, they might have "vleesdag" as the exception, while eating vegetarian the rest of the week. It's a way to consciously enjoy meat less frequently.
3. Cultural nostalgia:Referring to the traditional weekly rhythm of meals.

A classic, simple Dutch "vleesdag" meal would consist of:

• A piece of meat:A pork chop, meatball (gehaktbal), sausage, or steak.
• Potatoes:Boiled, mashed, or fried.
• Vegetables:Like carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.
• Gravy.

So, while the term has old roots, it's still a relevant part of talking about food culture and eating habits in the Netherlands and Belgium.