The 13 desserts, a Provençal tradition

December 31, 2023

Reading time: 1 min.

This Provençal tradition will bring the LAVANDOU sunshine to your Christmas table in the heart of winter! The thirteen desserts refer to the meal bringing together Christ and the twelve apostles. What are these thirteen desserts in the Christmas meal?

The list varies depending on the city, here we offer you 13 traditional desserts from yesteryear when banana, pineapple and coconut had not yet reached our shores

OT Le Lavandou

The pompe à huile

The 13 desserts of Provence first include the sacrosanct oil pump (round or elongated pancake). This Christmas pomp is made from flour, olive oil, orange blossom water or anise seeds and brown sugar. The oil pump does not shut off but breaks manually otherwise it will be ruined within a year.

Provençal Christmas tradition Le Lavandou

The 4 beggars made from dried fruits

Next come the dried fruits called “beggars” (Li pachichoi).
Their colors symbolized those of the clothing of religious orders who lived on alms. Walnuts and hazelnuts for the Augustinians, almonds for the Carmelites, dried figs for the Franciscans, raisins for the Dominicans

The 2 nougats

White nougat (cooked in a bain-marie) and black nougat (cooked over a fire).

Fruit paste or jelly

Quince pastes for example. Did you know ? The first dessert that was traditionally tasted was quince paste. Because it ensured that all the problems of the coming year would be alleviated!

Candied fruits

Like the candied fruits of Apt and Carpentras made from melon, orange or lemon.

The dried fruit

Apricot, fig, grape or disguised nuts.

Fresh Fruits

You have the choice between oranges, tangerines, apples, pears, grapes (at the time, specially preserved since the beginning of Autumn on shelves in the attics).
But also winter melons.

OT Le Lavandou

Calissons

Homemade or from Aix, many other regional variations can be suitable such as Allauch honey lollipops, biscotins, earlets, almond crunchies or any other delicious homemade pastries.

Dates

The only exotic fruit allowed is the date.
Complete these desserts with chestnuts, almond crunchies, pralines, homemade pastries.

Now that you know everything, you just need to choose 13.

And don't forget, everything is washed down with a small glass of cooked wine.
Indeed, at the time, after the meal, the Provençal people sang Christmas carols in Provençal as a family. Then they went to the church for Midnight Mass. She was also in Provençal.
On their way back, to cheer themselves up, they enjoyed grapes and cherries in brandy. They were nibbling what had been left on the table and drinking a small glass of “SAUVO-CRESTIAN”.