This is the recipe for pataqueta bread, typical of the Valencian Community. We are going to make this crescent-shaped bread, that workers of the vegetable garden of Valencia used to prepare. Its existence is known since the 17th century. It is a crunchy bread, perfect for filling.
Sourdough (170 g), bread flour (450 g), water at room temperature (190 ml), salt (10 g)
1. To start with the pataqueta bread recipe you must have a large bowl at hand. In it we will pour the sourdough, the flour and the water at room temperature. You have to mix everything until you get a homogeneous dough.
2. On a smooth and clean surface, pour the mixture and knead it, adding a little salt. If you knead for 10-12 minutes the dough will be elastic.
3. Next, add a little flour to the surface and give our dough a round shape, dividing it into circular portions of about 160 g. Cover with a cloth and leave in a warm environment until they double in size.
4. When the dough has risen, flatten each portion a little.
5. Horizontally, perform a surface cut on the surface of each portion. After this, let the volume of the dough rise again, at least for one hour.
6. We have to give them a crescent shape, so that they come out like the ones in the image above. In each pataqueta or portion, pulverize a little water sprinkling some sifted flour. Meanwhile, heat the oven to a temperature of 200ºC.
7. Bake the pataquetas for half an hour until they are golden. You have to pay attention to the process, because every oven is different. When the pataqueta bread recipe is ready, let it cool down.
Thursday afternoon snacks, a tradition known as Dijous de Berenar, have been preserved in the Valencian town of Sagunto. Also in others like Petrés. It is a tradition that begins on the first Thursday after Saint Anthony’s Day, celebrated on 17 January. From that Thursday, it is held until Ash Wednesday. As tradition dictates, people gather to have a snack. This small sandwich is filled with sausage, loin with tomato or bean omelette with tender garlic.
It is believed that the Dijous of Berenar originated in the year 1492, when the Jews were expelled from the town. Although it was celebrated throughout the Valencian Community, over the years the tradition has been lost. However, in Sagunto they keep the tradition alive every Thursday, when families or friends gather to eat their pataqueta, either at home or in cafes.
*Main photo: comunitatvalenciana.com
