Remembering my Xmas in Madeira During Childhood

By Jose PINTO

For this magic time of the year the streets of Funchal get beautifully ‘dressed up’ with thousands of lights in numerous colors. During this time, all streets and roads in and outside Funchal also put on their Christmas dress, as almost all the lamp posts are connected with a light chain, giving the impression of a lit road map when looked at from above.

This is a special season for the Madeirans as traditions and customs are renewed. December is the month of the ‘Festa’, as we called it. In addition each one decorate the houses, with the traditional “lapinhas” (cribs) and with flowers of the time, it is common to make typical Christmas delicacies, like honey cake , cookies and biscuits, homemade liqueurs, and meat in wine and garlic, which is a delight for all of with Bolo do Caco (Flat Bread cooked in a flat surface, made out o local wheat, flour and sweet potatoe)

Bolo do Caco ( Flat Bread cooked in a flat surface)

Bolo de Mel or ( Honey Cake)

The Madeira Honey Cake is one of the most traditional delicacies of Madeiran gastronomy. It is made with honey from sugar cane( mel de cana) and it can be preserved and eaten even weeks after being made. It’s usually best to eat 6 to 12 months after as my Grand Mom told me ,every year.

Madeira Honey Cake is traditionally linked to Christmas. Usually it’s prepared on December 8, however, it can be found in shops all year round.

Madeira Honey Cake Recipe:

HONEY CAKE INGREDIENTS

1 kg Flour 500 gr Sugar 1/4 Lard (Melted pork fat) 1/4 Butter 1 Lt of Honey 2 Eggs 1/4 Cider 1/4 of Almond 1/4 Raisins 1/2 Cup of milk 1 packet of sodium carbonate (2 tablespoons and a half) 500 grs whole walnuts 10 grams of fennel 10 grams of cloves of India 10 gr from Maranhão (a type of Clove) 10 gr of Axa (a type of Clove) 10 gr of Flower (a type of Clove) 10 gr of nutmeg

How To Make The Honey Cake?

Put the honey, the butter and the lard in a pan to melt. Allow to cool. Mix the flour, sugar, spices and soda in a bowl. Meanwhile, heat the milk until warm and add to the bowl to make it easier to mix. Add the eggs and stir well. Finally add the warm honey and remaining ingredients and mix them all together. Before baking, add the chopped nuts to the top of the cake, then place it in the oven at 180º for 35 minutes.

The outstanding Christmas light decorations all over Funchal, ( Capital city ) together with the fantastic New Year’s Eve fireworks and activities make Madeira Island one of the most desired place to be during Xmas and New Years

These festivities come to an end on December 31, with the spectacular 1o minutes or more of fireworks show, places Madeira Island into the Guinness book of records as the largest show in the world! This is also the longest night in Madeira, with families , friends and visitors celebrating the New Year until the early hours or sunrise of the next day!

Carne de Vinho e Alhos