Bolos de São Gonçalo are unusual Portuguese pastry cakes originating from the village of Amarante. Although there is no set recipe, and the sizes of these cakes vary from one street vendor to another, the cakes have one thing in common – they all have phallic shapes.
Every year on January 10 and the first weekend in June, there's a local celebration of Saint Gonçalo de Amarante, and the penis-shaped cakes are usually sold from street carts, either covered in powdered sugar or filled with sweet cream. It is believed that the practice has its roots in pagan fertility rituals, but the claim hasn't yet been proven.
Also known as rum baba, these small yeast dough sponge cakes are filled with raisins or currants, baked in a ring mold, and soaked in rum. The hole in the center of the cake is filled with either pastry cream, fresh fruit, or whipped cream. This dessert is believed to have been invented by pastry chef Nicolas Stohrer, who cooked for exiled Polish King Stanislas Lesczyńska when he came to France after his daughter’s marriage to Louis XV.
Stohrer’s pâtisserie in Paris first began to sell baba cakes in 1730, while the addition of rum to the cakes has been noted in recipes since 1835. Some say that baba au rhum was named after Ali Baba, a hero from 1001 Nights and the favorite character of King Stanislas, while others say that the name stems from the Slavic word baba, which means “grandmother” or “old woman”.
MOST ICONIC Baba au rhum
View moreBanket or banketstaaf is a traditional pastry consisting of puff pastry that is filled with almond paste. It is sometimes additionally brushed with fruit jam and garnished with cherries or almonds on top. The pastry is usually prepared during the Christmas festivities, and it is recommended to dust banketstaaf with powdered sugar, serve it sliced, and pair it with a cup of coffee.
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Churchkhela is a traditional Caucasian candy that is shaped into a sausage. This candy is made by dipping a long string of nuts (usually walnut halves) in concentrated grape juice, then leaving the concoction to dry.
It is so healthy and so nutritious that, in the past, it was even carried by Georgian warriors on their long journeys. Although walnuts are usually used in the preparation of churchkhela, they can be replaced by almonds, hazelnuts, or raisins.
Although it is believed to have its origins in Persia, zulbia or jalebi is an international dessert with variations that spread throughout the Middle East, India, and Asia. In its basic form, this sweet dessert is created by combining flour with yogurt or ghee, as well as baking soda or yeast to create a batter which is then poured in circular patterns directly into the sizzling oil.
The final result is a crispy treat that is then doused in a thick syrup, which can be flavored with rosewater, saffron, honey, orange blossom water, or cardamom. In both Iran and India, zulbia is served on special occasions, and it is usually sprinkled with chopped pistachios or saffron threads.
Strawberry gelato traditionally employs less dairy than the cream, chocolate, or nut based varieties. It should always be prepared with fresh strawberries that are usually puréed and then blended with water, lemon juice, and whipped cream.
When thoroughly frozen, gelato fragola is characterized by its firm, creamy consistency, light pink color, and a refreshing and intense strawberry flavor.
MOST ICONIC Gelato alla fragola
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Pain aux raisins or escargot (lit. snail) is a French spiral-shaped pastry made with a combination of leavened buttery dough or sweetened bread dough, raisins, and crème pâtissière. Once filled, this sweet treat is baked until its edges become slightly golden.
Pain aux raisins is traditionally served in the morning for breakfast, although it is also sometimes enjoyed throughout the day with café latte or black coffee.
MOST ICONIC Pain aux raisins
This gelato variety is characterized by a subtle coffee flavor which is achieved with the addition of strong coffee to the base of milk, cream, eggs, and sugar. Alternatively, the base can be infused with roasted coffee beans. Caffè gelato is a great substitute for a traditional coffee, especially in the warm summer months.
The classic version is occasionally enriched with chocolate chips, while the gelato may come in the robust espresso version or as the more subtle mocha or café au lait gelato. In Italy, all varieties are popular and are found in numerous gelaterias throughout the country.
MOST ICONIC Gelato di caffè
View moreGelato al melone is a refreshing Italian gelato flavor made with fresh melons (cantaloupes). It is usually made with milk, eggs, sugar, and cream. The melons are pureed before they are added to the base. Variations sometimes leave out eggs or include condensed milk or mascarpone cheese.
This light and refreshing gelato is available in many ice cream shops in Italy, and it is typically a seasonal summer flavor.
MOST ICONIC Gelato al melone
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Gelato all'amarena is a traditional gelato flavor that incorporates amarena cherry preserve. The base is neutral, usually made with vanilla-flavored ice cream or with fior di latte flavor made with milk, cream, and sugar. This neural base is then streaked with amarena syrup and cherries.
Amarena cherries are native to Emilia-Romagna. These dark, wild cherries are usually preserved in syrup and are then used as a topping or garnish.
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