Xuixo facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Xuxo |
|---|---|
| Type | Pastry |
| Course | Breakfast or tea |
| Place of origin | Spain |
| Region or state | Catalonia |
| Main ingredients | Crema catalana, sugar |
Xuixo (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈʃuʃu]), sometimes called xuxo, is a super yummy pastry from the city of Girona in Catalonia, Spain. It's a special kind of sweet treat that is deep-fried until golden. Then, it's covered in sugar and filled with a creamy custard called crema catalana.
People often eat Xuixo for breakfast or as a snack with their afternoon tea. It's so special that the government of Catalonia has given it an award! They call it Producte de la Terra, which means "Product of the Home Country". This shows how important and loved this pastry is in its home region.
It's believed that the Xuixo was first made in the 1920s in Girona. A baker named Emili Puig, who owned a pastry shop on Cort Reial Street, was inspired by a French pastry chef. This chef showed him how to make cream-filled pastries. Emili Puig then created the Xuixo, making it his own unique sweet.
This delicious pastry is very popular not just in Girona, but also in nearby areas. You can find Xuixos in other Spanish cities like Tarragona, Castellón de la Plana, and Valencia. In the past, it was one of the most requested items in pastry shops called Xurreries. Today, you can even find them sold by candy brands, sometimes with a tasty chocolate icing on top!
The Legend of the Xuixo
There's a fun story from Girona about how the Xuixo was invented. It's all thanks to a friendly acrobat named el Tarlà. He was famous for entertaining people during a time when a sickness kept everyone indoors.
One day, el Tarlà fell in love with a pastry chef's daughter. When he visited her, her father suddenly appeared! To hide, el Tarlà quickly jumped into a bag of flour. But then, he sneezed! The sneeze sounded like "xui-xui," and it gave away his hiding spot.
Before the pastry chef could get angry, el Tarlà quickly promised to marry his daughter. He also offered to share the recipe for a brand-new, special pastry. He named this pastry "Xuixo" after the sneeze that got him caught!
Today, you can still see a figure of el Tarlà every year during the spring festivals in Girona. A copy of his figure is put up in the very spot where he used to entertain the people.
The Popular Xuixo Walk
There's a special event in Girona called the Marxa del Xuixo, or the "Xuixo Walk." It's organized by a group called "Fundació Oncolliga Girona" and the local government.
This walk is a fun event for the whole family! Participants stroll through the streets of Girona and explore the beautiful nature around the city. After the walk, everyone gets a delicious Xuixo! These pastries are freshly made by the talented pastry chefs of Girona, making it a sweet reward for a nice walk.
See also
In Spanish: Suso para niños
