Panaderias: (Mexican Bakeries): Smells of fresh bread and pastries filter through the air, dissolving resolves of even the staunchest weight-watcher. Ah...What a sweet lesson in history!
Although the greenest gringo is well acquainted with the French roll (known as bolillo), Mexican cookies are an enigma. So, the following is a guide for the cookie banditos (bandits) of the world, along with a chapter from Mexican history as seen through its pastries.
Many cookies trace back to the Aztecs, while others indicate a Mexican colonial, or Spanish influence...not to mention the French. Emperor Maximillian, flanked by his French chefs, left his imprint on cookies, too.
The easiest cookie to identify is the cochinito. It is named after, and cut in the shape of little pigs. Cochinitos are made from flour, brown sugar and ginger. They originated in Spain.
The oreja (ear) is a pan dulce (sweet bread) and is popular for breakfast. The oreja originated with the French who call it Papillon (butterfly) after its shape.
Coricos are made in little rings. They are from the state of Sonora and made with flour flavored with sesame. Elotes are named after and shaped like ears of corn; they are doughy on the inside and flavored with sugar on the outside. Their centers are cinnamon flavored.
Conchitas (shells) are deeply scored, puff cookies. They are made of sponge bread, prepared in chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Rosca de Reyes - (bread of the Kings) comes in all sizes. It has a hole in the middle, and is a sweet bread loaded with dried and preserved fruit. Symbolically, it contains a tiny doll, representing the infant Jesus, whom the Three Kings (Wisemen) came to worship.
There are many names for the celebration which occurs on the Twelfth Day of Christmas (meaning the 12th day after Christmas); Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, and it is celebrated differently in each country. The tradition in Mexico for El Dia de Los Reyes, is for the children to leave their shoes outside the door so they can be filled with gifts from the Magi. Rosca de Reyes is served at the fiesta and tradition dictates that whoever finds the doll in their slice of Rosca, must give a party for all others present on the 2nd of February!
