Photo credit: Flickr
I love holiday traditions, and I especially love learning about traditions followed in other countries. Thanks to my new friend, Pam Siddiqui, for sharing a special tradition in the south of France, Les Treize Desserts de Noel. Side note: I call Pam my "new" friend because she and I have only recently started corresponding. In fact, I'm an "old" friend of Pam's online boutique, Olive and Branch, where I shop for beautiful French home accessories. That said, I hope you enjoy reading about Provence's delicious holiday tradition, browse Pam's store, and by all means, DON'T MISS Pam's generous offer at the bottom of this post!
Les Treize Deserts de Noel -- Provence-Style Christmas
Christmas is almost here and everywhere you go in Provence you will hear the words 'Joyeuse Fetes' and 'Joyeux Noel' ring out -- from city and town hall buildings to holiday cards and carols. Other traditions that will unfold in large cities like Avignon, and small villages throughout Provence, are traditional Marches de Noel, Christmas nativity scenes, santon displays and midnight masses. There's one more ... and, of course, it has to do with food! This typical Provencal fete is the Christmas Eve tradition of the thirteen desserts, or les treize desert de Noel. I love this tradition because, although, there are thirteen desserts -- yes, count them -- most are healthy versions of desserts like fresh and dried fruit or nuts.
Almost every family in Provence that celebrates Christmas celebrates with the Thirteen Desserts served after the 'Gros Souper' (the big meal served after mass on Christmas Eve). The thirteen desserts symbolize Christ and his twelve apostles sitting at the last supper. Although the items can vary from village to village, they are always eaten on Christmas Eve and they most commonly include:
Four Mendiants (the Monks who have taken a vow of poverty) Raisins for the Dominican Order, Almonds for the Carmelite Order, Dried Figs for the Franciscan Order and Hazelnuts for St. Augustine.
Four Beggars, usually Apples, Pears, Oranges and Dates. Oranges are a traditional Christmas gift representing wealth in the coming year and a real treat to everyone during the depression. Today, in our family stockings, one can always find an orange tucked away at the bottom. It was a tradition I grew up with and one I have passed down to my children.
Four Riches (any combination of these):
- Confit Fruit - Representing good and evil are Nougat Blanc and Nougat Noir
- Coing or Quince paste
- Panade or an Apple Tart
- Calissons d'Aix, a frosted marzipan treat--one of the most awaited desserts of the Thirteen Desserts and a specialty of Aix en Provence.
And finally, Fougasse, or Pompe a Noel (olive oil bread). This is the traditional brioche made with olive oil and flavored with lemon peel or orange and served with sweet wine. Most importantly, if you want to ward off bankruptcy in the coming year, break the bread, don't cut it!
However you celebrate Christmas this year, incorporating some of Provences thirteen desserts is certainly a sweet way to round off the holiday season.
Pam Siddiqui is the owner of Olive and Branch for the home, part-time Provence resident and author of Postcards From Provence. Olive and Branch brings French and French-inspired home decor and personal care items to you and your home.
SPECIAL OFFER TO READERS OF TRAVEL WITH JULIE: Receive FREE Fedex Home shipping (continental USA only, please) on all your purchases through the end of the year, December 31, 2011. Just enter Julie in the coupon code section at checkout.
Thank you Pam for sharing a Provencal Christmas with us all! Do you have a French holiday tradition? I'd love to hear about it!
