Gentse mastel

Mastellen, huubkes or hupkes are round dimpled or crossed cinnamon buns. Since medieval times the bun was consecrated by a priest and eaten as a preventative against hydrophobia (rabies) on the feast of Saint Hubert on 3 November. In a magazine from 187915, it was claimed that blessed bread would never rot. If no bread was blessed there would be a lot of rabid dogs that year. The correct way to eat the blessed bread was to ensure