Persian (roll) facts for kids
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| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Canada |
| Region or state | Thunder Bay |
| Main ingredients | Pastry dough, icing |
A Persian is a yummy, oval-shaped sweet roll that looks a bit like a cinnamon bun. It's famous for its bright pink icing, usually made from raspberries or strawberries. While most Persians have pink icing, you might sometimes see other colors too.
This special treat comes from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It was first made at Bennett's Bakery in the former city of Port Arthur. Port Arthur joined with Fort William in 1970 to become Thunder Bay. Sometimes, people confuse the Persian with other pastries called "Pershing" or "Persian bun" from the United States. However, those are different treats made from doughnut dough, not sweet roll dough.
How to Enjoy a Persian
One tasty way to eat a Persian is to have it hot and fried with butter. First, you split the Persian in half, just like you would cut a bagel. Then, you spread a lot of butter on the cut sides. Place the buttered halves in a frying pan.
Next, you spread the pink icing over the top of both pieces. As the Persian fries, the buttered side turns golden brown, and the icing on top melts and becomes a bit crispy. It's served warm and makes for a very sweet snack!
History of the Persian Roll
The exact story of how the Persian roll began is a bit of a mystery. Many people believe it was named after a famous U.S. general, John "Blackjack" Pershing. However, no one knows the exact date it was created or the full details of its invention. This has led to many different stories and ideas about its origin in the Thunder Bay area.
The recipe for the Persian roll is kept a secret by the bakeries that make it. There are even long-running friendly debates among locals about whether the famous pink icing is made from raspberries or strawberries. Persians are often sold to help raise money for schools, churches, shopping malls, and other community events. They are a popular way for groups to collect funds.
