January 6th, holiday in Italy, represents an opportunity to once again taste the typical sweets of the various regions of Italy, with sweets linked to the folklore of the Befana, and the Feast of the Epiphany.
Known in Brazil as “Kings' Day“In Italy, however, the date is eagerly awaited by children due to the arrival of the witch Befana, a kind of Santa Claus who leaves sweets and gifts for those who have behaved well during the year – or coal for the mischievous ones.
Here are the delicacies that Italians will find in their stockings Epiphany.
Befana 2022: typical Italian sweets for the Epiphany feast
In Varese, “cammelli di pasta sfoglia” (puff pastry camels, in free translation) that recall the journey of the Magi to the cave of Belém. They are filled with pastry cream, jams or fruits.
A Fugassa d'la Befana is a typical dessert from the province of Cuneo: a soft, rounded dough inside which, in the past, two grains of different colors were hidden.
In Liguria, on the day of Epiphany they prepare anicines, biscuit made with grass-sweet and without using any type of fat.
A marantega pinza is the typical dessert of Trivêneto for the feast of the Epiphany: it is a sweet bread enriched with raisins, dried figs, pine nuts, grappa and candied orange.
Os horses, however, are soft cookies prepared in Tuscany, mainly in the areas of the provinces of Siena, Lucca and Viareggio.
As pecorelle They are cakes filled with jam and dried fruits typical of Ancona. The Marche region is closely linked to the festival of the Epiphany, just think of Urbania, a village in the province of Pesaro and Urbino that represents the official residence of the Befana in Italy: every January 6th, the civic building is transformed into the Befana's house and remains open year-round.
Os pepatelli with black pepper, flour, cocoa, honey, almonds and orange peel are prepared and consumed in Abruzzo and Molise. There are two typical Apulian products: cartellate de Bari and purcidduzzi de Salento.
In Naples, which CNN chose it as one of the best tourist destinations of 2022, Befana matches the first pastiera of the year: one of the most iconic and beloved desserts in the Neapolitan culinary tradition. THE Neapolitan pastry, recognized as a traditional product of Campania, is also a typical product of Easter festivities.
In addition to rediscovering local Italian sweets, Epiphany Day also becomes an opportunity to try international products, especially Galette des rois, the King Cake, particularly popular in Rome.
A King Cake It's made with almonds and butter with a layer of puff pastry and broad beans inside. The cake is browned in the oven and glazed before serving.
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