To celebrate the
Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th (and as another excuse to socialize), the French share in
la Galette des Rois or King's cake. Children especially love this flaky pastry puff with almond paste filling for the
fève hidden inside because whoever is served the slice with the porcelain token becomes king or queen for the day and gets to choose their mate! This year, my littlest boy became king, his prize was etched with the letters TGV (
Train à Grande Vitesse, France's high-speed train)... his older brother was the chosen mate, an odd but joyful couple :)
The cake is available most of January, but it sells out fast. At my local French bakery, we were lucky enough to swipe the very last one (thanks to our neighbor, Marie-Claude, whose zumba class was right next door). The galette was gobbled up so quickly, I almost missed getting a shot of the last tiny slice!
Lovely pictures to capture the tradition, Catherine. I see that you are already used to this one - you are ready to land in France :-) Enjoy the new week,
ReplyDeleteThank you Daydreamer! My bags are (almost) all packed :)
DeleteSeriously, why does it SEEM that the french have all the fun☺ Loved the photos.
ReplyDeleteOh, it looks delicious and I love the tradition. I'm impressed also by your speedy ability to snap these before the cake was snapped up!:)
ReplyDeleteThat looks tasty! Love traditions, especially ones including food :) Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to like - sweet pastry and a surprise!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice celebration and history, thanks for sharing this and joining us for Travel Photo Mondays :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I know this tradition from France and would wish so much we'd have it here in Germany, too!
ReplyDeleteHello Catherine, it has been my pleasure to explore around your blog after "finding" it via a link on LondonLulu's Princeton Daily Photo blog. You have such wonderful photos that capture the essence of the moment. I will be returning, even if not on a daily basis as (sadly) there is just so much time in a day to read and comment on everything I enjoy. Please feel free to visit our blog anytime as we also enjoy drop-in visitors from everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThank you + Welcome Beatrice! I'll be sure to come and visit you too :)
DeleteHow fun! I love stuff like this. Is this celebration similar to King's cakes for Mardi Gras?
ReplyDeleteSimilar but not the same Kim... although the tradition of King cakes was brought to the US by way of French and Spanish colonists hundreds of years ago, what was then a simple dough cake has evolved into a festive braided cinnamon-y cake covered with sugary toppings in the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold. In Louisiana, Mardi Gras season lasts much longer (Epiphany to Ash Wednesday) and as for the trinket, whoever ends up with the token has to bring the next King cake or throw the next Mardi Gras party!
DeleteWhat a delightful tradition! I love that your littlest guy found the token. What fun!
ReplyDeleteI've read of this tradition and have always wanted to buy a King Cake -- no calories right? :)
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely calorie-free Nancy, no guilt involved ;)
DeleteWe had the galette last year. My friend, who's a Cordon Bleu pastry chef, made it and it was fun trying to see who got the fève. :)
ReplyDelete