Pan' e vino, e San Martino: Bread and Wine, and Saint Martin. You may hear this phrase in Sicily (especially in Palermo)in reference to Feast Day of San Martino. He happens to be the patron saint of wine and wine making! On November 11th, you enjoy biscotti di San Martino by dipping them in Moscato (an Italian sweet wine) or any new wine (I love my in-laws homemade wine!).
The story goes that San Martino became a monk after his work finished of a Roman soldier. San Martino was traveling on a cold, rainy day in November on horseback and encountered a half-naked beggar. San Martino cut his cloak in half and gave one half to the cold man.
As he continued on his journey, the sun came out and the temperature became warmer. This is where the "Estate di San Martino" (The Summer of San Martino)comes from.
San Martino and the so-called "summer of San Martino" in Palermo are celebrated with cakes and wine. It is actually celebrated in different parts of Italy with sagras (small food festivals) that are all about the chestnuts of autumn and the new wines. Not too many Italians probably know the history of the saint, but they will enjoy a reason to celebrate with delicious food and great wine on November 11th.
Italian Proverbs for San Martino
- Per San Martino castagne e buon vino [For St. Martin's chestnuts and good wine.]
- Da San Martino l'inverno è in cammino [From St. Martin's winter is on the way.]
- Per San Martino nespole e vino [For St. Martin's comquats and wine.]
- A San Martino si lascia l'acqua e si beve il vino [At St. Martin's you leave water and drink wine.]
Biscotti di San Martino-St. Martin's Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 cups of flour
- dash of salt
- 1 packet yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 10 Tablespoons shortening
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon fennel or anise seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Let the yeast dissolve in the water with about a teaspoon of sugar. It's ready when it bubbles up.
- Add the flour, shortening, sugar and nice seeds to the drum of a food processor. Pulse together a few times.
- Add in the water with the yeast and pulse until it combines. Add a little more water (about a teaspoon at a time)if it's not reaching a workable consistency. You don't want the dough to be too wet.
- Dump the dough onto the counter (if it's a little too wet, add a bit of flour until you achieve a workable consistency).
- Knead the dough together until it's smooth. Place in upside down in an oiled boil. Swish it around right side up. Cover and let it rise for 45 minutes. While dough is resting, heat the oven to 400F.
- Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- Cut the dough into 18 pieces (each piece should weigh 50 grams). Cover the cut pieces with a tea towel. Start working one piece at a time. Roll a piece into a strip about 8 inches long and shape into a snail shape. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat process with the rest of the dough pieces.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until a nice golden brown.
Frank | Memorie di Angelina says
How very pretty! And the flavors sounds wonderful, too. Unfortunately it's nothing like summer here this last autumn. In fact, it seems that winter has made an early arrival. I just we need to call back San Martino!