Dia de Todos los Santos, this day is not just about mourning the loss of loved ones. It is also a day to celebrate life. Popular activities for such purpose are eating traditional sweets...[E]specially popular in the north of Spain, is to head out to the streets or the countryside for a traditional "castañada". The castañada consists of townsfolk gathering for a n outside get-together and keep warm by eating the "castañas" (chestnuts) [and sweet potatoes] that someone roasts and sells in the most traditional of ways: in a small bonfire or using a modern grill.
However, Dia de Todos los Santos can best be defined as the day in which almost all of Spain enjoys eating the mouthwatering delicacies...
Buñuelos de Viento
No one knows exactly when these sweetened dough fritters, which are usually filled with cream, chocolate, pudding and anything else, began to be elaborated. But given that the Royal chef of Spanish king Felipe II made some references to this pastry in some of his recipes towards the beginning of the XVII century, has raised them to be one of the traditional culinary desserts to celebrate Dia de Todos los Santos, as tradition states that when you eat a buñuelo, a soul is released from purgatory.Huesos de Santo
These oddly named sweets, which are made of marzipan dough rolled into thick thumb-size tubes, do not actually resemble a bone in shape, so do not fret over its unappealing name. Its name derives from the final coloring it acquires after its baked in a syrup covering: a bone-like beige hue. Huesos de Santo were also traditionally filled with a sweet egg yolk concoction, but nowadays are elaborated with all types of filling (from chocolate to coconut shavings to marmalade, banana, etc) to being sold in an assortment of colors that hint away at its flavor.Panellets
These typical Catalan sweets, made from almonds, potato, sugar and pine nuts are absolutely delicious! You'll see them in the baker's shops days before El Día de Todos los Santos and are best enjoyed with a good bottle of muscatel wine!
Links to recipes with photos:
Buñuelos de viento (Wind Fritters)
Huesos de Santo (Saint's Bones)
Panellets (Little Breads)
