This Peruvian dessert was one of the first desserts I watched my grandmother ‘abuelita’ make. It was very complex and it took a long time but when she was finished and the colorful dessert was assembled it was the most unique combination of flavours I had ever tasted to this day.
The Turrón de doña Pepa is an anise and honey nougat that has become part of Limeños’ cultural identity. Traditionally prepared for the Señor de los Milagros (The Lord of Miracles) procession, in October, the legend tells that a black slave named Josefa Marmanill, aka Doña Pepa, received the recipe from the saints in her dreams. Josefa was a black slave in Cañete Valley (Ica, south of Lima). She was liberated due to a paralysis in her arms, and as she couldn’t work, she traveled to Lima and went to the Señor de los Milagros procession to ask him for a cure. After she had received the miracle, she made this nougat to thank him. Since then, each October Lima is filled with this traditional nougat and now you can prepare it in your home.
Every year, in October, the faithful from all races and economic backgrounds celebrate The Lord of Miracles in a religious procession through the streets of Lima. The boulevards are dressed in purple to celebrate on October 18th, 19th and 28th Lord of Miracles his annual procession through the streets of Lima.
For the recipe click here http://bit.ly/HXRXS (if you need translation, Google can take care of it for you).
