Spongarda facts for kids
| Alternative names | Spongarda of Crema |
|---|---|
| Type | cake |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Lombardy |
| Serving temperature | room temperature |
| Main ingredients | Flour, butter, sugar, honey,almonds, spices, hazelnuts, walnuts,candied fruit, raisin, pine nuts, |
| Ingredients generally used | mostaccino, cinnamon, turmeric, vanilla essence, apricot jam |
| Variations | torrone |
Spongarda is a special cake that comes from Crema, a town in Italy. The Lombardy region in Italy officially lists it as "Spongarda of Crema." This means it's a traditional and important food product from that area.
Contents
Where the Name Comes From
The name "Spongarda" has been used in Crema since at least 1755. But the cake's history goes back even further! A historian named Pietro Terni wrote about a similar soft, spongy cake in 1526. This cake was made for a big feast. The name "Spongarda" comes from the Latin word "spongia," which means "sponge." This makes sense because the cake was once very soft and spongy.
What Makes Spongarda Special?
Spongarda is a flat cake with a firm dough. Its edges and top are gently pinched and poked. Inside, it has a rich filling packed with dried fruits, candied fruits, and different spices.
Other Similar Cakes
The recipe for Spongarda is similar to other cakes found in different parts of Italy. Some famous ones include the Spongata of Brescello and the Spungata of Sanzana. The idea of using many spices in the filling dates back to the Renaissance period.
Protecting Spongarda
Spongarda is usually made in bakeries in Crema because it's a bit tricky to prepare. In 2009, some of these bakeries formed a group called the Congrega della Spongarda. Their goal is to protect this traditional cake and help more people outside Crema discover it.
What's Inside Spongarda?
Spongarda is made with several tasty ingredients. These include flour, sugar, butter, honey, and cinnamon. It also has spices, almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts, raisins, and candied fruit. Some bakers even add crumbled mostaccino instead of just spices. A mostaccino is a spicy biscuit from Crema often used in another local dish called tortelli cremaschi.
