Cynthia Leal Composition October 26, 2001 A Dutch Christmas The memories that stand out best from my childhood are Christmas holidays celebrated during the eight years my family lived in the Netherlands. Our American Christmas traditions of Santa Claus and his helpers going from rooftop to rooftop delivering gifts to good children and lumps of coal to bad children originated in Holland. The stories were brought to America by 17th century Dutch colonists who relayed them to the English-speaking settlers. According to legends, every year early in the month of November, Sinterklaas (derived from Sint Nikolaas or St. Nicholas) departs by steamboat from his home in Spain on a journey to Holland. He is in the company of his helpers, the Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters), and Schimmel, his white horse. Arriving in mid November, they are greeted by a welcoming parade and a crowd of people. The Zwarte Pieten throw small bags containing candy, cookies, and other goodies into the crowd. They leave the harbor and ride in the parade. By day, for remainder of November through December 4th, Sinterklaas and all of his Zwarte Pieten parade the streets scattering goodies. At night they take Schimmel and go to every rooftop in the country. Sinterklaas drops chocolate letters, candy figures, cookies, other sweets, and small presents down the chimney for the children who have been good all year. The goodies fall into the children's wooden shoes which have been set by the fireplace and filled with a carrot or some straw for Schimmel. During the day, on December 5th, Sinterklaas and the Zwarte Pieten visit every home in the country to deliver the larger presents. As they go from house to house, Sinterklaas asks if there are any naughty children in the home; the children reply: Neeee! Then he asks if there are any good children in the house, to which the children answer: Jaaaa! Sinterklaas then leaves the presents by the front door. In the evening, while Sinterklaas and his companions start their voyage home, adults and children are exchanging gifts. The adults drink mulled wine and everyone eats traditional sweets and baked goods. All of the baked goods are delicious, but one of my favorites is pepernoten (ginger nuts). I would like to share the recipe for these traditional cookies with you since they can only be found during the Christmas season in Holland. First, you need to prepare a common Dutch seasoning called speculaas spice. For speculaas spice you will need cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, coriander, allspice, ginger, cardimon, and mace in their powder form. The amount of each ingredient depends entirely on your preference. If you don't like one in particular, leave it out, or use less of it. However, since this is probably the first time you are making speculaas spice, my recommendation is to use equal measurements of the ingredients. That way you can try it before changing it. Now you are ready to make pepernoten. In a medium bowl mix 1/3 cup of soft butter, ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of speculaas spice, and a pinch of salt. Blend until mixture is smooth. Gradually add 2 cups of self-rising flour and enough milk to make the dough elastic. Knead dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Later, grease a baking sheet, and shape dough into small balls. Place on baking sheet about ½ inch apart. Bake at 325F for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Pepernoten are not eaten right away. They should be baked well before December 5th and stored in a tin since they will stay fresh for several weeks. You can take them out and enjoy them in the beginning of December just like a traditional Dutch Christmas. |