Šakotis
Encyclopedia
Lithuanian Šakotis or Raguolis (also known as Bamkuchenas in western Lithuania) or Polish sękacz is a popular Lithuanian
-Polish
traditional cake.
The cake became popular during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
(1569–1791). Its origins are attributed to either the Italian Queen Bona Sforza
of Poland or the Baltic tribe of Yotvingians
. The Yotvingians settled in the early and high Middle Ages in Podlachia
, while Bona Sforza is known to have implemented many agriculture, infrastructure and manufacture reforms.
Its name means "branched tree" or "tree with many branches" due to its distinctive shape (it is often conical, like a pine tree, and with the drips as branches). It is baked by painting layers of dough onto a rotating spit in a special open oven or over an open fire. It is drier than a German Baumkuchen
(it is not the same as Baumkuchen, although often confused with it). In France, it is known as gâteau à la broche and is mostly found in the Massif Central
and Pyrenees
, especially in Aveyron
where it is a very popular party dessert.
It can be decorated with chocolate and flower ornaments, but it is often served plain. Šakotis is one of the most important dessert
s in Lithuania
n celebrations, especially at weddings or birthday parties. It is often eaten at Christmas both in Lithuania and Poland.
It was the sweet chosen to represent Lithuania in the Café Europe
initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union
, on Europe Day
2006.
Lithuanian cuisine
Lithuanian cuisine features the products suited to the cool and moist northern climate of Lithuania: barley, potatoes, rye, beets, greens, berries, and mushrooms are locally grown, and dairy products are one of its specialities...
-Polish
Polish cuisine
Polish cuisine is a style of cooking and food preparation originating from Poland. It has evolved over the centuries due to historical circumstances. Polish national cuisine shares some similarities with other Central European and Eastern European traditions as well as French and Italian...
traditional cake.
The cake became popular during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
(1569–1791). Its origins are attributed to either the Italian Queen Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza was a member of the powerful Milanese House of Sforza. In 1518, she became the second wife of Sigismund I the Old, the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and became the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania.She was the third child of Gian Galeazzo Sforza and his wife...
of Poland or the Baltic tribe of Yotvingians
Yotvingians
Yotvingians or Sudovians were a Baltic people with close cultural ties to the Lithuanians and Prussians...
. The Yotvingians settled in the early and high Middle Ages in Podlachia
Podlachia
Podlachia, Podlasie or Podlesia is a historical region in the eastern part of Poland and western Belarus. It is located between the Biebrza River in the north and its natural continuation to the south — the Polesie area...
, while Bona Sforza is known to have implemented many agriculture, infrastructure and manufacture reforms.
Its name means "branched tree" or "tree with many branches" due to its distinctive shape (it is often conical, like a pine tree, and with the drips as branches). It is baked by painting layers of dough onto a rotating spit in a special open oven or over an open fire. It is drier than a German Baumkuchen
Baumkuchen
Baumkuchen is a kind of layered cake. It is a traditional dessert in many countries throughout Europe and is also a popular snack and dessert in Japan...
(it is not the same as Baumkuchen, although often confused with it). In France, it is known as gâteau à la broche and is mostly found in the Massif Central
Massif Central
The Massif Central is an elevated region in south-central France, consisting of mountains and plateaux....
and Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, especially in Aveyron
Aveyron
Aveyron is a département in southern France named after the Aveyron River.- History :Aveyron is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on 4 March 1790....
where it is a very popular party dessert.
It can be decorated with chocolate and flower ornaments, but it is often served plain. Šakotis is one of the most important dessert
Dessert
In cultures around the world, dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal, usually consisting of sweet food. The word comes from the French language as dessert and this from Old French desservir, "to clear the table" and "to serve." Common Western desserts include cakes, biscuits,...
s in Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n celebrations, especially at weddings or birthday parties. It is often eaten at Christmas both in Lithuania and Poland.
It was the sweet chosen to represent Lithuania in the Café Europe
Café Europe
This article is about the event, for the Croatian novel see, Café EuropaCafé Europe, Café d'Europe or also Café Europa was a cultural initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union, held on Europe Day in 27 cafés of the capitals of the then 25 EU member states and the two countries...
initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, on Europe Day
Europe Day
In Europe, Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. There are two separate designations of Europe Day: 5 May for the Council of Europe, and 9 May for the European Union...
2006.
See also
- KürtőskalácsKürtoskalácsKürtőskalács or kürtős kalács is a Hungarian pastry also known as chimney cake, stove cake, or Hungarian wedding cake. It is baked on a tapered cylindrical spit over an open fire. Originally from Transylvania, it is famous as Hungary's oldest pastry...
- Skalický trdelníkTrdelníkTrdelník is a traditional cake and sweet pastry, from the Slovak town of Skalica. It is made from rolled dough, wrapped around a stick then grilled and topped with sugar and walnut mix.- History :Its production has a long tradition in Skalica...
- SpettekakaSpettekakaSpettekaka or spettkaka ") is a local dessert of the southern parts of Sweden, chiefly in the province of Scania but also in Halland...