In a few days, Saint Martin's Summer will arrive, a period in autumn generally marked by good weather and higher-than-average temperatures. It’s a brief spell, as the saying goes, “Saint Martin's summer lasts three days and a little bit,” but it's a cheerful and carefree time celebrated with festivals and fairs all over Italy, where people enjoy roasted chestnuts and open barrels to taste the new wine… after all, it couldn't be any other way during the feast of Saint Martin, “when every must becomes wine”!
To celebrate these days, our Cesarina Francesca from Palermo has shared her recipe for preparing the most classic dessert of this period: Saint Martin's cookies.
The Legend of Saint Martin
Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier stationed in Gaul. One day, while returning home during a torrential rainstorm, he encountered a beggar who was freezing and without clothes. Moved by the sight, the soldier cut a part of his cloak and gave it to the cold man. Miraculously, the storm suddenly stopped, and the weather cleared. That night, Martin had a dream in which the beggar appeared to thank him for the gift and revealed his true identity: he was Jesus Christ himself. Shocked by this revelation, Martin laid down his weapons, converted to Christianity, and began traveling far and wide to spread the Word. It is no coincidence that Saint Martin is the patron saint of pilgrims. He was appointed Bishop of Tours in 371 AD and died on November 8, 397 AD, with his funeral taking place three days later. This is why Saint Martin is celebrated on November 11.
Saint Martin's Summer in Italy and Abroad
In Italy, the celebrations for Saint Martin are particularly significant in Venice, where children wander the streets singing rhymes and asking for money to buy sweets. However, this holiday is also observed in other European countries, including Germany, France, and Austria. In English-speaking countries, this time of year is known as "Indian Summer".
