Rogal świętomarciński

Rogal świętomarciński is a traditional Polish pastry, specifically a croissant, that is typically enjoyed on St. Martin's Day (November 11th) in the Greater Poland region, particularly in the city of Poznań. The pastry is named after St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of Poznań.

History

The tradition of baking rogal świętomarciński dates back to the mid-19th century. According to legend, St. Martin once lost a horseshoe while riding through Poznań. A pastry chef found the horseshoe and, inspired by its shape, created a croissant to honor the saint. The pastry quickly became popular and its production has been a tradition in Poznań ever since.

Preparation

Rogal świętomarciński is made from puff pastry shaped into a crescent, filled with white poppy seed paste, almonds, raisins, and other dried fruit. The pastry is then glazed with icing and sprinkled with crushed nuts. The preparation process is time-consuming and requires a high level of skill, as the dough must be rolled out and folded multiple times to create the pastry's characteristic flaky texture.

Cultural Significance

The rogal świętomarciński is not just a pastry, but a symbol of Poznań and its history. Every year on November 11th, the city of Poznań celebrates St. Martin's Day with a parade, during which rogal świętomarciński pastries are distributed to the crowd. The pastry is so significant to the region that it has been granted Protected Geographical Indication status by the European Union, meaning that only pastries baked in the Greater Poland region can be officially called rogal świętomarciński.

See Also

• Polish cuisine
• St. Martin's Day
• Poznań