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Rosca
de Reyes
People
go to the markets and stores to get the needed ingredients to
prepare the feast.
All
over the country, in every city
and in every little town,
bakeries offer the Rosca de Reyes, an oval
sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit.
There are Roscas of all sizes, very small
ones for two or three people and up to the ones that will
delight more that twenty people.
The
Merienda de Reyes is truly a multicultural event.
The Spaniards brought the tradition of celebrating the
Epiphany and sharing the Rosca to the New World.
The Rosca is served along with Tamales,
made of corn which was the pre-Hispanic food per excel lance,
and hot chocolate. Chocolate
is also a gift from the native peoples of the New World.
Hidden
inside this delicious Rosca, a plastic figurine of
the Baby Jesus. The Baby is hidden because it symbolizes the
need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born, a place
where King Herod would not find Him.
Each
person cuts a slice of the Rosca .
The knife symbolizes the danger in which the Baby Jesus
was in. One
by one the guests carefully inspect their slice, hopping they
didn't get the figurine. Whoever
gets the baby figurine shall be the host, and invite everyone
present to a new celebration on February 2, Candelaria or
Candle mass day, and he also shall get a new Ropón
or dress for the Baby Jesus of the Nativity scene.
The
Mexican Christmas season is joyously extended up to February 2 !
- when the nativity scene is put away, and another family dinner
of delicious tamales and hot chocolate is served with
great love and happiness.
Recipe
to make Rosca
de Reyes |
