– Photograph by German Limeres. Tarta de Santiago 4 eggs ¾ c sugar and then ¼ c. sugar 1-3/4 to 2 c finely ground almonds. Of the thousands who flock to Galicia each summer, not all take part in the daunting expedition on the Camino. This deliciously moist almond cake is named after Santiago ( Saint James) , the patron Saint of Spain. Jun 20, 2018 - The origin of tarta de Santiago, or rather, why the famous Spanish almond tart is named after the apostle Saint James, patron saint of Spain, is unknown. From Torta Real to Tarta de Santiago Which brings us to the cake, which unsurprisingly hails from Galicia and the Compostela region. “Tarta de Santiago, literally meaning cake of St. James, is an almond cake or pie from Galicia with origin in the Middle Ages. Find the recipe for the Tarta de Santiago in our July/August 2019 issue, and adorn your cake with the signature cross of St. James! I enjoy making the Tarta de Santiago to the delight of everyone, and, since it is gluten free, some of my friends on special diets get to eat this treat. Boasting a picturesque coastline and a gastronomy that rivals the best of Europe, Galicia is home to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where it is reputed that the remains of St. James (Santiago), the patron saint of Spain, rest. Tarta De Santiago – Time For A Little DESSERT!!! Origin: Galicia. Its hefty, crunchy crumb—due to the absence of flour or aeration in the batter—makes it a durable, on-the-go snack for hikers on the Camino de Santiago. But by baking this cross-bearing cake, they are engaging in a fundamental part of the spiritual journey. Tarta de Santiago -Santiago cake- is typical of the gastronomy from Galicia that you would read about in your Spanish guide, however it is consumed in the entire country. Se trata de uno de los postres tradicionales más famosos de la ruta, elaborado a base de almendras molidas, azúcar, huevos, ralladura de limón y harina en las recetas más antiguas, aunque hoy en día ya no se emplea este ingrediente. Those hiking the Camino will ultimately arrive here, the final destination, in order to pay their respects and begin the day of feasting, delighting in Tarta de Santiago in remembrance of St. James. No matter which route is taken, all roads lead to Galicia, a breathtaking region tucked away in northwest Spain. This particular cross is known as an espada, a hybrid of a sword and a cross, and can be made by gently placing either a stencil or a physical cross of St. James on the center of the cake and then dusting a generous amount of confectioners’ sugar on top. The filling principally consists of ground almonds, eggs and sugar. Leading up to July 25, legions of people embark on a spiritual journey to walk (and sometimes cycle) the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James). Most recipes called for three simple ingredients signature to desserts in the Iberian Peninsula region: eggs, almonds, and sugar. “Tarta de Santiago, literally meaning cake of St. James, is an almond cake or pie from Galicia with origin in the Middle Ages. The Galician name for cake is Torta whilst it is often referred to Tarta, which is the Spanish word. Tarta de Santiago is a typical delicacy of the northern Spanish region of Galicia. It's main ingredient is crushed almonds. This ancient pilgrimage route, which consists of a large network of pathways across Europe, has drawn in hundreds of thousands of people in recent years. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. While the origin of Tarta de Santiago is, like many old traditions, fairly unclear, most claim the cake was brought to Galicia by a pilgrim and subsequently consumed by those making the journey to the cathedral. Donec suscipit ultricies risus sed mol... Festival of Albariño – Cambados – August 1 – 4, 2013, History Of Tarta De Santiago – St. James Cake. A dense, lightly sweetened almond cake called Tarta de Santiago that people have been consuming for centuries. (I grind them to a fine flour using my coffee grinder)[img] Preheat oven to 375°. The Galician name for cake is Torta whilst it is often referred to Tarta, which is the Spanish word. On some routes—many marked by gold scallop shells, the symbol of the pilgrim—travelers will encounter the Pyrenees mountain range, while others will be graced with trails flanked by vineyards or eucalyptus forests. It was the sweet chosen to represent Spain in the Café Europe initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union, on Europe Day 2006.