St. Martin's croissant

St. Martin's Croissant (Rogal świętomarciński) is a traditional Polish pastry associated with St. Martin's Day celebrations in the city of Poznań. It is recognized as a traditional product by the European Union, and is protected under EU law.

History

The tradition of baking St. Martin's croissants dates back to the mid-19th century. According to legend, a Poznań baker dreamt of St. Martin on a white horse, who asked him to create a new type of pastry in the shape of a horseshoe. The baker obliged, and the croissant quickly became popular among the citizens of Poznań.

Preparation

St. Martin's croissants are made from puff pastry and filled with a mixture of white poppy seeds, almonds, raisins, and orange peel. The croissants are then glazed with sugar and decorated with icing and almonds. The preparation process is time-consuming and requires a high level of skill, as the croissants must be perfectly shaped and baked to a golden brown.

Cultural Significance

St. Martin's croissants are a significant part of the St. Martin's Day celebrations in Poznań. On November 11, the city hosts a parade in honor of St. Martin, and the croissants are distributed to the crowd. The croissants are also sold in bakeries throughout the city during the month of November.

See Also

• List of Polish desserts
• Poznań
• St. Martin's Day