The Rab cake ( hr, Rapska torta) is a traditional
Croatian cake which originates from the
Adriatic
The Adriatic Sea () is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula. The Adriatic is the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the Strait of Otranto (where it connects to the Ionian Sea) ...
island of Rab
Rab âːb( dlm, Arba, la, Arba, it, Arbe, german: Arbey) is an island in the northern Dalmatia region in Croatia, located just off the northern Croatian coast in the Adriatic Sea.
The island is long, has an area of and 9,328 inhabitants (2 ...
. Its main ingredients are
almond
The almond (''Prunus amygdalus'', syn. ''Prunus dulcis'') is a species of tree native to Iran and surrounding countries, including the Levant. The almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree. Within the genus ...
s and
Maraschino liqueur and it is traditionally baked in the shape of a spiral, although today several shapes are popular.
History
According to legend, this cake was first served in 1177 to
Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III (c. 1100/1105 – 30 August 1181), born Roland ( it, Rolando), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 September 1159 until his death in 1181.
A native of Siena, Alexander became pope after a con ...
when he consecrated the Assumption Cathedral in Rab.
On that occasion, the cake was prepared by nuns from the monastery of
Saint Anthony, and later by
Benedictines
, image = Medalla San Benito.PNG
, caption = Design on the obverse side of the Saint Benedict Medal
, abbreviation = OSB
, formation =
, motto = (English: 'Pray and Work')
, foun ...
from the monastery of
Saint Andrew
Andrew the Apostle ( grc-koi, Ἀνδρέᾱς, Andréās ; la, Andrēās ; , syc, ܐܰܢܕ݁ܪܶܐܘܳܣ, ʾAnd’reʾwās), also called Saint Andrew, was an apostle of Jesus according to the New Testament. He is the brother of Simon Peter ...
.
Rab cake became a delicacy reserved for wealthy families and
aristocrats living on the island of Rab in the time when Rab was a part of the
Venetian Republic. Today, Rab cake is prepared only for festive occasions like weddings, baptisms, etc. It is also a very popular
souvenir because it has a long shelf life.
Rab cake was depicted on a
Croatian kuna 8.60 postage stamp issued by the
Croatian Post in July 2020.
See also
*
Croatian cuisine
*
List of cakes
*
List of pastries
References
External links
HIC-hrvatski proizvodRecipe for Rab cake
{{cakes
Croatian desserts
Cakes
Almonds
Rab