This is a big day in Spain, as families all over the country get together to exchange presents and eat Roscon (a ring-shaped, cream-filled cake with a plastic toy hidden in the middle – whoever gets the slice with the toy pays for next year’s Roscon).
The name, Los Reyes, refers to the three Kings who supposedly brought gifts to Jesus, hence the present giving. Although some families do now give children presents on December 24th as well (to keep them busy over the rest of the Christmas period), this is the big day. Here in Madrid my sister-in-law has just been on the phone saying “Hurry over, the Reyes have left something for you”, so it’s time to get going. Two questions: can I eat Roscon at this time in the morning (10:30), and I wonder what I’ll get!?
greytop
6 Jan 07 at 2:55 pm
Is it a local custom in this part of Spain (Pego, N.Alicante) or do baskets of balloons get hung from balconies all over? So much nicer than the dreadful plastic Papa Noel creeping in.
greytop
6 Jan 07 at 2:56 pm
Is it a local custom in this part of Spain (Pego, N.Alicante) or do baskets of balloons get hung from balconies all over? They presumably let los 3 reyes know where to stop! So much nicer than the dreadful plastic Papa Noels creeping in everywhere.
Ben
6 Jan 07 at 3:17 pm
No balloons here, just the creepy santas hanging off balconies!
Stuart
6 Jan 07 at 8:48 pm
Photos of creepy santas please.
Keith
7 Jan 07 at 5:59 pm
Does anyone have a good recipe for roscon?
ValenciaSon
8 Jan 07 at 12:23 am
Might it wreak havoc with the anti-terrorist authorities of the day to have statues of Los Reyes instead, hung on the balconies and terraces.
Ben
8 Jan 07 at 8:50 am
Sorry, Stuart, I think they are probably more creeping than creepy. If I see one I’ll snap it!
Vs – you’ve lost me!!
Jiffy Spanish
8 Jan 07 at 8:54 am
Thats pretty cool. I like the idea that the person who gets the toy pays next year. Keep up the good work.
Marina
8 Jan 07 at 2:36 pm
I don’t know if the cpreeping papa noels are such a good idea. There was a 6 year old in Castellon that jump from her balcony, just before the holidays, trying to get hold of one.
You can read the full article in Spanish here: http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/181726/0/nina/papa/noel/
I thought that I could do a podcast in Roscón, but after three days in a row eating it everywhere we went to, I don’t think we could handle any more roscón. I’ll post a recipe in the forum later this evening.
Pepino
8 Jan 07 at 3:02 pm
I like the fact that some of my neighbours in the flats where I live in Barcelona have hung little baskets filled with sweets on their door knockers so that the other residents can take one. Sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most welcome….. and it’s a tasty treat when you get home from work!
Marina
10 Jan 07 at 1:46 pm
Keith, I’ve just posted the Roscón recipe in the forums you can get it by clicking in the following link:
http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15107#post15107