Monção Glazed Rings
Also known as: Monção Glazed Rings
Small saffron-and-anise rings, wood-fired and joined beneath a white sugar glaze.
- Origin
- Monção · Upper Minho
- Region
- Monção
- Season
- Year-round and local festivals
Roscas de Monção begin with a simple flour, egg and water dough scented with saffron and anise essence. Skilled makers roll cords about twenty centimetres long, close them into small rings and bake them in a wood-fired oven with the door open until golden.
Once cool, the rings are covered with sugar syrup at the pearl stage. The opaque white coating dries over the ridged surface and traditionally joins six or twelve rings into a compact cluster. This grouped presentation is one of the clearest visual distinctions from other Upper Minho ring breads.
- wheat flour
- eggs
- water
- saffron
- anise essence
- sugar
Light egg dough, warm anise and saffron aroma, and a dry intensely sweet sugar crust.
They are sold separately or joined in groups of six or twelve; glaze thickness and dough ridging vary between makers.
From producers and pastry shops and at fairs and food events in Monção.
Tea, coffee or a glass of Monção e Melgaço Alvarinho.
The craft of Monção's ring makers became one of the municipality's sweet emblems. In 2019, Roscas de Monção were elected one of Portugal's Seven Sweet Wonders, increasing demand and national visibility. The regional gastronomy guide preserves the technique, including hand shaping and joining the rings into groups.
Sources: cm-terrasdebouro.pt · 7maravilhas.pt · visitportoandnorth.travel
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