Galician culinary traditions and new literary releases

Traditional Galician culinary and literary highlights include the Tarta de Santiago, a flourless almond cake deeply connected to the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela. Known as the ‘cake of Saint James’, this dessert is characterized by its moist, grainy texture and is traditionally decorated with the Cross of the Order of Saint James in powdered sugar. The recipe, which dates back to at least 1577, relies on almonds, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and cinnamon.

In literature, August releases feature diverse genres, including a new biography of Jane Austen by Catherine Bell. The biography explores Austen’s creative life, from her early sketches to the publication of her most famous works, highlighting her pursuit of a literary voice amidst the social constraints of the late 18th century. Additionally, Elizabeth Strout presents a new novel focusing on human emotions and the secrets of its characters.