5 typical tasty treats for Christmas in the Region of Murcia

Festive flavours for every palate in the Costa Cálida!

Almost everywhere in the world the tastebuds recognize the flavours of Christmas with foods which are normally not seen during the rest of the year, and while in the UK that might mean mince pies, turkey with sprouts, Christmas pudding or dessert wines, the Region of Murcia also has its own festive culinary traditions, mainly appealing to those with a sweet tooth.

Among the typical ingredients at this time of year are almonds, nougat and plenty of sugar, and these examples have been chosen by the regional tourist board as the most representative tastes of Christmas in the Costa Cálida!

1. Cordiales

These small, delicate creations are packed with flavour and are made with ground almonds, sweetened pumpkin jam (¨cabello de ángel” in Spanish, literally angels’ hair) and lemon zest. They are known as “cordials” because of their tendency to soothe even the most volatile of tempers and bad moods, bringing a little Christmas cheer to the Scrooge in every family!

They are not hard to make yourself: click here for a video recipe!

2. Tortas de Pascua

For many Murcianos it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without Tortas de Pascua, a classic speciality which can be found on the majority of tables in the Region over the festive season. Soft and slightly sweet, they are flavoured with aniseed and are perfect wtih a cup of coffee or a sweet dessert wine- or as a Christmas breakfast for the children, dunked in warm milk!

Always spongy, they are at their best fresh out of the oven, either at home (click here for recipe) or from your nearest traditional bakery, where they have been making them for centuries. If you’re the cook in the house, your family will prefer you to bake them at home, as the smell whets the appetite nicely!

3. Mantecados

Mantecados are well-known all over Spain, but in Murcia they are usually slightly different as they include the locally grown almonds. With the added tastes of butter cinnamon they really do melt in the mouth, and are loved by both youngsters and grown-ups!

Some people add Orange or lemon zest to give their mantecados a personal touch, again making use of locally grown produce – Murcia is, after all, the lemon capital of Spain!

4. Cabello de Ángel cakes 

We've already come across “Cabello de ángel” in the recipe for cordials, and here it is again as the star of the very sweet treat known as “Pastelillos de Cabello de Ángel”.

As mentioned already, the sweetened pumpkin jam is one of Murcia’s favourite Christmas ingredients, and in this case it is offset perfectly by the crusty. Golden pastry in which it is wrapped. The pies are the perfect end to any Christmas meal, and the only word of caution is not to fall into the trap of getting hooked on them!

5. Almonds!

Last but not least, let’s celebrate the humble almond!

The queen of dry fruits and nuts in Murcia is without a doubt the almond, and it is perhaps at its best in the typical sweet Christmas treats. Used in a wide variety of preparations including “almendrados” and marzipan, its versatility and unique taste make it a true Christmas star!

Of course, there are plenty more which could be added to the tourist board’s list, including aguardentados (made with strong “aguardiente liqueur), suspiros (“sighs”!) and the famed sugary sweet egg yolk creations of Caravaca, and if you enjoy letting yourself go a little over Christmas and the New Year the best advice is to head for your nearest traditional “confitería”, where their many years of experience will help you discover the taste of Christmas in Murcia!

On top of that, most of the numerous Christmas markets in the Region feature food stalls, where you’re sure to find a lovely selection of little gastronomic gifts for all the family!

Source: ITREM