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Marzipan is known almost everywhere but obviously its preparation changes based on the country it is made in. For example in the United Kingdom, it is used to make fruit cakes and it is called marzipan, in South America and Spain, it takes the name of marzapan and it is a traditional sweet of Christmas time, even if sometimes almonds can be replaced by pine nuts or peanuts.
In Germany and Norway marzipan is used to make Glücksschwein that is a lucky marzipan charm with the shape of a pig, a traditional gift for New Year.
Lübeck’s Marzipan
Speaking of Germany, the beautiful medieval city Lübeck, it’s known as the homeland of marzipan. Here you can taste this most delicious and famous sweet, made since 1800 by the Niederegger family. Niederegger is a symbol of quality, its marzipan is soft, tasty and not too sweet. Unlike other recipes, German marzipan and specifically the Niederegger’s one, it’s made with rose water that softens the dough and makes its flavor less strong.
Niederegger‘s marzipan shop is situated in Breite Strasse 89, with a marvelous museum at the second floor where visitors can enter for free and dive in the interesting and sweet history of this delight.
Fängt es im Winter zu schneien an,
so schneit es nichts als Marzipan,
Rosinen auch und Mandel.
Und wer sie gerne knabbern mag,
der hat 'nen guten Handel.
— Joachim Ringelnatz, 1883 - 1934
For many years it has been our tradition to have a marzipan panna cotta for dessert at Christmas. It is prepared with cream, orange peel and Niederegger's wonderful marzipan liqueur. I serve it with a sauce with fermented cranberries and orange fillets. We don't want to miss it.
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