It is very sweet so almost perfect for your Photo Challenge this week Hugh, I say almost as I’ve probably written too much for a photo challenge!! Lots of words are needed though as so delicious , especially if like us you are sampling the one made by João Mendes & Rita in Olhão. This year they won silver at the national ACIP Folar contest (Associação do Comércio e da Indústria de Panificação, Pastelaria e Similares) for their folar doce; here’s a video of them making folars. They also make a chocolate one, but I only discovered that today writing this so can’t confirm whether or not it tastes as good as I think it might do!
I hear you wonder what are folhados? I don’t think they are an Easter tradition although they do seem to be a small type of folar. I’m uncertain as to what the English translation exactly is for them as google translate is hopeless, and the recipes I have come across have translated it as puffs and even lollies.
The ones we tried ‘Folhados de Olhão‘ were made by Paulo Ramos dos Santos, also an Olhão baker/confectioner, and they are scrumptious. Instead of layers like a folar each one was a 2inch piece of dough wrapped round in ever decreasing circles. The dough texture reminds me of an English Hot Cross Bun made in the style of a cinnamon roll but with a caramelised bottom similar to what you find on a crème brûlée.
There are also apparently ones called ‘Folhadinho’, more biscuit sized with the roll ending up almost like a pyramid on the bottom. I’ve not yet seen these for sale though, only seen pictures. Having read about them though you can rest assured I’ll now be trying to track them down! Odd really as I don’t usually have a sweet tooth (chocolate doesn’t count!) but there is something about these Folar doce de Páscoa.
I’m not too late though to tell you about some of the Easter events and traditions here in Olhão. The first event is only in its second year and takes place this coming Friday, it is the II Almoço Solidário de Páscoa Tradicional Olhanense. It is a lunch, and as well as the opportunity to eat some of the traditional sweet dishes you will be able to join in the Olhanense tradition of eating peas at Easter. The next tradition I am not sure happens any more but sounds a perfect way to walk off all that folar. On the second Monday after Easter, the Olhanense traditionally walked up Cerro de São Miguel, that huge hill you see in the distance above Moncarapacho. We might just try it!