Pane coi santi facts for kids
| Alternative names |
|
|---|---|
| Type | fruit bread |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | |
| Main ingredients | bread dough, olive oil, raisins, walnuts |
| Variations | figs, dates, almonds, honey, pine kernels |
Pane coi santi is a special Italian sweet bread. Its name means "bread with saints." People in Italy traditionally bake and eat this bread around November 1st, which is All Saints' Day, and November 2nd, Day of the Dead. It is a popular treat in the Tuscany region, especially in the city of Siena and the Maremma area.
Contents
What is Pane coi Santi?
Pane coi santi is a type of fruit bread. It is made with a special dough and baked in a wood-fired oven. This gives it a unique taste and smell. It is known for being a traditional food linked to important holidays.
A Special Holiday Treat
This bread is strongly connected to two important Italian holidays:
- All Saints' Day (called I Santi in Italian) on November 1st.
- Day of the Dead (called I Morti in Italian) on November 2nd.
People often enjoy Pane coi santi during these days. It is a way to celebrate and remember. A writer named George Gissing even wrote about eating this bread in Siena back in 1897. He called it a "very plain plum-cake."
How Pane coi Santi is Made
Making Pane coi santi involves a few simple steps. The main ingredients are usually:
Adding More Flavors
Sometimes, other tasty ingredients are added to the bread. These can include:
Baking the Bread
First, the flour is used to make a leavened bread dough. This means the dough rises, making the bread soft. Then, all the other ingredients like raisins and walnuts are mixed into the dough.
The dough is shaped into a round or oval loaf. It is then baked in a wood-fired oven. This special baking method makes the bread fragrant and gives it a nice, moderately dark brown color. The finished bread is usually quite soft and delicious.
