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.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1 packet yeast
- 3/4 cups of sugar
- 7 eggs
- 125 grams butter
- 1/4 cup lukewarm milk
- Dash of salt
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp aniseed
- 100 grams raisins
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 50 grams candied figs
- 50 grams candied orange
- 50 grams candied lemon
- 50 grams candied cherries
- 50 grams candied citron
- 1 beaten egg
- sugar
- butter
- flour
continued…
