Almonds have been a part of Mediterranean culture for millennia. Today, Spain boasts the largest cultivated area of almond trees in the world, with more than 700,000 hectares; this is the second-largest almond producer after the US. Spain’s production is concentrated in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands, as well as Andalusia and Aragon. Spanish almonds have a high oil content making them juicy, soft, and more flavorful than most. This versatile nut plays an important role in the country’s gastronomy, especially when it comes to sweets!
Check out the following traditional desserts where almonds are the main ingredient:
Marzipan – consisting of almonds, sugar, honey and eggs. This sweet paste has been around for centuries and most likely has Arabic origins. It is molded into different shapes and then baked. The most famous marzipan comes from Toledo, just south of Madrid, where it is so culturally significant that it earned the IGP quality seal. Generally eaten around Christmas time, marzipan is consumed year-round in Toledo.
Tarta de Santiago, or Santiago cake, is a typical dessert found in Galicia, specifically in its capital of Santiago de Compostela. This round cake is made with crushed almonds, sugar, eggs, and a pinch of cinnamon. Powdered sugar is sprinkled on top around a stencil to reveal the cross of Santiago. This dessert dates to the 16th C, and today it can be found in many bakeries throughout the city, especially during July when the Santiago Apostol festival is held.
Bienmesabe is a sweet dessert that is popular in the Canary Islands and is said to have Moorish influences. Prepared with honey or sugar, egg yolk, and ground almonds, with the addition of some cinnamon and lemon for extra flavor, its consistency varies but is usually a thick, slightly grainy pudding or caramel texture. Bienmesabe is a perfect accompaniment to ice cream or added to other cold desserts.
Almendrados are almond cookies introduced in Spain by the Sephardic Jews. The principal ingredients of these simple but delicious cookies are almond flour, lemon zest, sugar and egg whites. The almendrados can usually be found all year round, and they pair perfectly with a cup of coffee.
Turrón and polvorones, are the most typical sweets found on every family’s table during the Christmas holidays. Turrón is a bar of nougat candy, made with either almond paste or whole almonds mixed with honey and egg whites, providing a perfectly sweet crunch. A polvoron is like a soft, powdery cookie made from ground almonds, flour, sugar and lard.
And of course, you can’t forget the classic chocolate-covered almonds or candied almonds that are sold at festivals and in most supermarkets.
