Cookies and bonfires
Cogoneddos are typical cookies for the Sardinian feast of “St. Antoni’e su fogu” dedicated to Sant’Antonio Abate: the night between 16 and 17 January, in many places of Sardinia, the tradition is to light up large bonfires, usually in the square in front of a church dedicated to St. Anthony.
The ritual begins a few days before with the collection of material for the lighting of bonfires (fagots or a plant hollow inside, even branches of scented rosemary) and it transport to the church accompanied by the sound of launeddas, musical instrument typical.
Once the material is blessed by the priest, they light the fire and the smoke drawings are traditionally consideredn as good wishes for the new year.
The party goes on the all night between 16 and 17 Jannuary with music, dancing, tasting of food until the fire goes out and the ashes are collected to prevent diseases in humans and animals.
The veneration of Saint Anthony is still widespread throughout Italy and Europe (abroad he is known as Anthony the Great): organized events, which have always bonfire at the center of the ritual or fireworks, are multiple and correspond to the date of the Saint’s death, supposed on January 17, 356.
Why this saint is so loved?
He was born in Egyp by birth (Coma, close to the desert of the Thebaid, 251) and he started the Christian monasticism or, better, the choice to spend your life in solitude to seek a more intense communion with God.
He retired in the desert of the Thebaid, in his early twenties, after the death of his parents, and was able to resist the many temptations of the devil and that’s why the Lord allowed him to heal physically and spiritually sick and to educate those who wanted to start up the ascetic life.
The cult Saint Anthony spread especially in medieval times and there various powers were attributed to him: a miracle worker capable of healing the most terrible diseases, especially inflammation of the skin such as herpes-zoster said precisely Sant’Antonio’s fire-, protector of domestic animals especially the pig (perhaps because the fat was extracted from pig to prepare emollient spreads on the wounds). In fact this religious figure, which is also known as the Lombard “Sant’Antoni du’l purscel“, has always represented next to a pig.
The animal, according to legend, would have helped the saint to ‘steal’ from the devil in hell a fiery ember to give to men to warm up.
In Varese, the appointment with the beautiful rite of St. Anthony and the blessing of animals is shor timet, in Piazza della Motta. Already you can smell the campfire …
Bring along a bit ‘of cogoneddos baked with Patrizia’s recipe and best wishes. Good party!
Mara
