All this talk of hot chocolate has reminded me of some of the conversations I've had in my interviews with members of the Mexican community in Fredericton. When asked about their favourite memories that they associate with food from their respective homes, several people brought up their love of la Rosca or Rosca de Reyes and a warm cup of hot chocolate on El Dia De Reyes.
"Well, what is it?", you ask. Good Question. El Dia De Reyes or Día de los Tres Reyes Magos is loosely translated as Three Kings Day, the Epiphany, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem and arrived bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus. The actual feast takes place on January 6th but a few days before, A couple of days earlier, children write their letters to the Wise Men, or to their favorite Rey Mago: Melchor, Gaspar, or Baltasar, asking for the presents they would like to receive and the evening before (January 5th) the Three Wisemen/Kings/Magi are placed in the nativity scene. Another fun tradition involves a visit to Alameda, a park in Mexico City on the evenings before Jan. 6th. Hundreds of helium balloons are available for sale so children can attach their letters and send them by balloon to the Reyes Magos (Royal Magi).
On January 6th, a feast is prepared called Merienda de Reyes and for this feast, Rosca de Reyes is prepared. Rosca de Reyes, pictured above, is an oval shaped, sweet bread which is adorned with candied fruit. The tradition of serving la Rosca was introduced by the Spaniards and is sometimes served with corn tamales to represent pre-colonial food. Hot chocolate is traditionally served with la Rosca as well. The tradition goes as follows: a small plastic figurine of a baby (Jesus) is hidden inside the bread (this represents the need to find a secure place for the birth, to protect Jesus from King Herod) and each person cuts one piece of Rosca (the knife represents the danger Baby Jesus was in) and if your piece contains the hidden doll, you have to prepare tamales for Candelaria or Candle Mass Day on February 2nd for all the guests at the feast and in some traditions, buy a new Ropón or dress for the Baby Jesus of the nativity scene.
I have never prepared Rosca myself but you can find a great recipe for this in the book Like Water for Chocolate or here.
For less analytical view of the holiday, listen to my friend Adriana tell you why El Dia De Reyes is one of the things she misses most about her home:
Here is a clip from UNB Professor Maria Teresa Grant about celebrating Dia de Reyes:
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