Life: Idiotropic

This week in Valencia you’ll see more “massapan” treasures than any other time of the year as they present themselves as fruits, vegetables, and firework shapes to commemorate the arrival of King Jaime the First in Valencia.  When he arrived in 1228 to conquer the land and drive our the Moors the people thanked him with what they had:  fresh vegetables and fruits from their gardens all wrapped up in the simple scarves they wore around their necks.   Now people give these tiny treats to loved ones wrapped in prettier scarves on el dia de Sant Donis, the 9th of October.

You’ll see signs referring to Sant Donis, but the giving of these fruits has little to do with the saint and everything to do with King Jaime.  It just so happens that 9 October is also Sant Donis day.  Every day has a Saint associated with it and in the Catholic faith, you’ll celebrate your Catholic name on your name day, the day corresponding to the saint that shares your name.
These little fruits are all made by hand.  The almond paste is made in the weeks before at my little Puzol bakery, then these pieces are dyed and formed by hand by one very talented pastry chef from whom we learned to make marzipan roses just last week.