It is another typical Spanish product that is consumed mainly in Christmas and its main production area is a small Castilian-La Mancha region. Because the marzipan from Toledo enjoy your Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since 2002 thanks to characteristics that make it unique. Linked to a territory that transformed the candy store In an entire art, today you can find almost twenty marzipans. They are all different although they are based on a receta tradicional with the touch that each workshop brings. Below we will discover everything about this Toledo Christmas delicacy.
The cradle of marzipan with PGI
To the southeast of the province of Toledo, the region of La Mancha It invites us to know its most traditional product and from which so many families live. With an annual production of between 50.000 and 200.000 kilos of marzipan, it is really now at Christmas when they sell almost all of that amount. Because, like the Mantecados or polvorones, this is a sweet that always remembers the end of the year, when it is enjoyed at family meals. Of course, in the towns where they make it, they live in a special way on these dates.
Consuegra, Sonseca, La Mata, Polán, Torrijos and Gálvez represent the cradle of marzipan from Toledo, since its two essential ingredients are closely linked to those Castilian-La Mancha lands. First of all, the almond has been cultivated for 15 years in Castilla la Mancha. For its part, sugar has a history that goes back much longer. Since the times of Al-Andalus they imported it, although its great expansion was in the XNUMXth century and in the Toledo province they began to combine it with nuts.
Thus began to develop some sweets with almond, above all, which gave rise to a typical oriental pastry also in other areas of Spain such as Cuenca or Alicante. Now the marzipan from Toledo its particularity and prestige were earned when art was created from this product. So much so that he achieved his PGI, although for other characteristics.
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What is Toledo marzipan like?
This delicacy stands out for containing in its recipe half and half both almond and sugar in fine masses that are compacted to give rise to its final shape. The dried fruit is added raw, peeled and ground and then subjected to various processes (churning, shaping and baking). Then, depending on the specific form it takes, you can incorporate a filling or be covered of other confectionery products.
Yes, the marzipan from Toledo, in any case, is distinguished by its texture and unique touch that give it the stone rollers that are used in its elaboration. This coupled with the technique of know-how that the workers of the industrial workshops of the province master to perfection. The first recipe for this sweet dates from 1525 when the chef Ruperto de Nola wrote it down in his book. In addition to the first more traditional presentations that were created, little by little the cookbook was expanded. We talk about sweet of a thousand ways.
In Toledo, candy store turned into art
Without a doubt, the most striking and meritorious of the marzipan from Toledo it is its ability to transform itself into a great diversity of sweets, without losing the essence of its original recipe. Toledo families turned the candy store into a varied range of harmonious, subtle and attractive products to the palate. Took Arabic and Hebrew influences for that work until giving much fame to their marzipan. So much so that in the past the pastries in the area were even considered the best in Europe. For originality and refinement.
They currently exist between 16 and 18 different marzipan from Toledo: figurines, delicacies, marquesas, steep, cakes yolk, glory cakes, almond pastes, pine nut pastes, and so on. One of those most spectacular presentations to look at is the eel, a voluminous dough decorated on top that can be filled with fruit, yolk or chocolate. So, for example, you can find them in Barroso marzipan, one of the most recognized and traditional families dedicated to this typical Toledo sweet. Their fancy marzipan fruits are also very unique.
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And, as you can see in the images and video that accompany this text, the marzipan from Toledo It is a very versatile product to obtain all kinds of eye-catching creations. In sight and on the palate. This Christmas, indulge yourself with this delicacy, always with responsibility!
