When it comes to Halloween, we often think of trick-or-treating and scary costumes, but the real magic is in the food! Around the world, different cultures celebrate this time of year with unique dishes that honor the dead and bring people together. From sweet treats to savory delights, these traditional Halloween foods not only satisfy your tastebuds but also tell stories of love, remembrance, and celebration. Let’s take a delicious journey through some of the most interesting Halloween foods from different countries!
Here are 5 traditional Halloween foods you may never have heard of:
1. Barmbrack, Ireland
barmbrack Photo: iStock
Barmbrack is a traditional Irish fruitcake or fruit loaf enjoyed at Halloween. The cake consists of pieces of dried fruit soaked overnight in hot tea and sometimes whiskey. This bread is often served with a little butter. When baking this bread for Halloween, certain objects are hidden inside it, and what you find in your piece indicates your impending fate. For example, a ring may mean marriage, while a coin may mean wealth.
2. Bonfire Toffee, United Kingdom
Bonfire Toffee is a traditional British treat associated with Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night. This toffee consists of melted black jaggery (dark jaggery), butter and sugar. Toffee is hard and hence is broken into small pieces before serving. Apples can also be coated in this caramel to make Bonfire Night-special toffee apples.
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3. Pan dei Morti, Italy
In Italy, a festival like Halloween is celebrated as All Souls Day on 2 November. All over Italy people visit cemeteries to pay tribute to the departed. A special food prepared on this day is Pan dei Morti, a rectangular-shaped dense cookie, also known as Bread of the Dead. These chewy cookies are made with almonds, pine nuts, cinnamon and lemon peel.
4. Pas-de-Des, Portugal
The Portuguese version of Halloween is called ‘Pão Por Deus’. Unlike Halloween, this day is more low-key and does not involve scary costumes. However, they follow the tradition of children going door to door asking for something to fill their bags. Pais-de-Des, or Portuguese bread for God, is often given to children on this day. These pillowy rolls are garnished with a topping made of eggs, desiccated coconut, lemon peel and powdered sugar.
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5. Huesos de Santo, Spain
huesos de santo Photo: iStock
Huesos de Santo or ‘Saint’s Bones’ are a delicious Spanish dish traditionally eaten on November 1, All Saints’ Day. These are made of soft marzipan tubes (made from almonds, sugar, and egg whites), shaped like bones, and filled with fruits and nuts such as coconut, kiwi, chestnuts, and strawberries. Travel to Spain in late October or early November, and you’ll find bakeries filled with these little skeleton-like sweet treats.
What is your favorite Halloween special food? Share with us in the comments section.
