Caga Tió - Christmas in Catalunya, Spain

Barak Obama’s appearance in the Catalan Christmas nativity scene may have prepared you in advance of meeting another colourful and popular Christmas character known as Caga Tió  (or the poop log in English). 

 Caga Tió  (pictured above) is currently making its annual appearance across Catalunya in anticipation of Christmas gifts. Come Christmas Eve the Yule tide log  which is what is, will be placed on the fireplace close to flames, whilst the songs of the ‘Christmas log’ or ‘Tió de Nadal’ as it is more properly known in the local language, are sung by the children of the household. The tradition has some similarity to the hanging out of Christmas stockings in anticipation of gifts.

 

Caga tió,

caga torró,

avellanes i mató,

si no cagues bé

et daré un cop de bastó.

caga tió!

 

Translated as:

Poop log,

poop turrón,

hazelnuts and cottage cheese,

if you don't poop well,

I'll hit you with a stick!

 

 

Turrón is widely available in Spain but if you would like to make your own version try this basic recipe, you can also add chopped nuts.

 

Ingredients:
8 ounces caster sugar
8 ounces ground almonds
2 egg yolks
1 egg white

 

Method:

Mix the sugar and ground almonds in a bowl.

Fold in the egg yolks, one at a time.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg white into a stiff froth and then fold it into the mixture.

Turn out the mixture into a baking tray.

Form the mixture into a slab about ½ ” thick using a rolling pin.

Cover it with greaseproof paper or foil and place a weighted chopping board.

Place in a cool dry place and allow mixture to dry out for two to three days.

Serve in 1” squares. Consistency between a nougat and a fudge.