Castanyada is a Catalan festival originally dedicated to the memory of our ancestors. Catalans celebrate these days with a special focus on eating typical for this part of the year goodies. What goodies?

Origins

The origins of Castanyada are related to Christian and pagan tradition of celebrating people who passed. Depends on the region of Spain, people treat this part of the year differently. The main way to celebrate these days was to visit family’s graves and light a candle. Some historical sources say that Castanyada was a time, when people who had to ring the church’s bell for many hours during the night (to remind others to pray for deceased) had to maintain their energy through eating seasonal specialties – chestnuts, sweet potatoes, marzipan candies with a finish of sweet wine called Muscadell. Thanks to this, Barcelona in the time of Catanyada has to offer great food specialties!

Celebrations

La Castanyada in Spanish means chestnut time. The name is related directly to the word  castanyes which exactly means chestnuts. As we said, during this period of the year people from Catalonia change typical seasonal food into traditional delicatessen. Apart from roasted chestnuts you will find sweet marzipan candies called panellets.

The most traditional panellet – marzipan and pine nuts

Panellets are made from ground almonds and sugar. The creamy dough is covered with caramelized pine nuts. Here you can find a traditional recipe for panellets, check it out!

Castanyada for people living in Barcelona is a time for celebration. As a public holiday, locals treat these couple of days as a break from work, school and other daily obligations. Having time with family and friends, eating chestnuts roasted on our eyes and drinking sweet muscadel with a bite of good panellet, this is the tradition nowadays.

Come to Barcelona to try it with us!

Nos vemos!

All photos by Aneta Maciejewska