Autumn Bounty

There are a few delicious autumn treats that take center stage in Catalunya, especially during the Tots Sants celebrations (All Saints’ Day) on October 31st. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait until then to enjoy them.

1. Castanyes (Chestnuts)

Chestnut cultivation dates back to 2000 BCE in Europe, where they were once a staple food in areas where cereals did not grow well. With the widespread availability of grains and potatoes, however, the chestnut became associated with “peasant food” but it has since made a roaring comeback. Once cooked, chestnuts have a texture similar to that of a baked potato with a delicate, nutty flavor and once it gets cold out, freshly roasted chestnuts wrapped in paper cones can bought by the half-dozen from castanyeres (chestnut vendors) throughout Catalunya.

2. Moniatos (Sweet Potatoes)

Only distantly related to the potato, the sweet potato arrived in Europe in the 15th century with Christopher Columbus’ expedition. During autumn in Barcelona, the sweet, smoky scent of sweet potatoes roasting over embers fills the air and can be found alongside chestnuts in the castanyera stands. It’s a temptation that is almost impossible to resist—and why should you? Though sweet enough to pass for dessert, these tubers are packed with nutrients that will warm you inside and out on a brisk day.

3. Frutas Confitades (Candied Fruits)

For centuries, food preservation using honey and palm honey was one of the few ways known among the ancient cultures of China and Mesopotamia to conserve food for up to a year.  It’s possible that the practice of candying fruits made its way to the west when the Arabs ruled Southern Europe. When sugar cane became widely available in the14th century, the modern process took hold. Today, candied fruits are among the many treats eaten at the castanyada but they also have a prominent place in traditional cakes and holiday confections throughout Europe.

4. Panellets (Little Breads)

The most emblematic food of Tots Sants, panellets (“little breads” in Catalan; also known as mitgetes in Urgell and biscotti ai pinoli in Italy) are delectable little flourless cookies made with a few simple ingredients: pine nuts, ground almonds, eggs, sugar, lemon and often sweet potatoes as well. Some say they come from the ancient practice of venerating the deceased with funerary meals, as small bread rolls would be brought to the tombs of the departed as an offering on this feast day. While it is most traditional to consume panellets on the eve of Tots Sants, they can be found in a variety of flavors in bakeries through October and November.

5. Moscatell (A Local Dessert Wine)

With over 200 varieties, the muscat family of grapes is one of the oldest known, dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Persians of early antiquity. The dessert wine known as moscatell is made with the overripe grapes of the moscatel romano variety.  After collection, the grapes are allowed to continue to ripen, significantly increasing their sugar content. During fermentation, ethyl alcohol is added to inhibit yeast growth and to preserve their delicate, floral aromas. In Catalunya, it is customary to drink this sweet spirit not just on Tots Sants, but also at the end of any meal on a chilly day.