Bón Sant Iläri a tùtti

A sweet tradition

by Giulia Tosoni

 

On January 13, Parma celebrates its patron saint, Sant'Ilario da Poitires.

As often happens in Parma, a UNESCO creative city for gastronomy, food and traditions go hand in hand.

The Parmesans, on the occasion of the anniversary of Sant'Ilario, eat the famous "scarpette" usually accompanied by a sweet Malvasia.

These are fragrant baked biscuits, glazed and covered with sugary tails that, in respect of history, I take on the profile of a slipper. They can be easily found in bars, bakeries and pastry shops in the city.

Like any self-respecting tradition, these sweets should be consumed not on January 13 - the day of the patron saint - but the next day, just to close in beauty (or sweetness) the celebrations of the Saint.

How are these cookies born? They owe their birth to the legend of Sant'Ilario.

It is said that, returning from exile, Bishop Hilary stopped in Parma. A short stop to warm up in the freezing winter.

A cobbler noticed that the holy man's shoes were in very bad condition, so, moved by Christian charity, he decided to give him a new pair.

With the new pair of shoes, Sant'Ilario was able to resume the journey with greater comfort. Miraculously, the next morning, the cobbler found instead of the Saint's used shoes a pair of golden shoes.

Ingredients of Sant'Ilario's shoes:

· 800 gr of flour

· 160 gr of eggs

· 65 gr of yolk

· 400 gr of butter

· 1 vanilla bean

· 1 lemon grated

· 320 gr of icing sugar

· 10 gr of salt

· 10 gr of baking powder For the complete recipe follow the preparation of pasticceria Battistini di Parma.

 

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