The Origins of Halloween and a Special Recipe: Halloween Hemp Bread

Halloween, also known as the night of witches, has ancient roots that go deep into Celtic traditions. The origins of this celebration date back to the festival of Samhain, a celebration that marked the end of summer and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that during this night the boundaries between the world of the living and that of the dead weakened, allowing spirits to return to Earth. To protect themselves from evil spirits, people wore masks and lit fires to drive them away.

Over the centuries, Samhain evolved and incorporated elements of Christian traditions, such as All Saints’ Day and the Day of the Dead, giving birth to what we know today as Halloween. The most common symbol of Halloween, the carved pumpkin or “Jack-o’-lantern,” comes from an ancient Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack, who managed to trick the devil and, upon his death, was forced to wander in the dark with only a coal ember inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way.

Today, Halloween is a popular celebration celebrated around the world, characterized by costumes, treats, spooky decorations and themed food. To celebrate this special occasion, we offer you a delicious and original recipe: Halloween Hemp Bread.

Halloween Hemp Bread Recipe

This recipe combines the flavor of hemp flour with that of bread, perfect for a rustic and surprising touch on your Halloween table!

Ingredients:

200g sourdough starter (refreshed 5 hours before)
120ml milk
100ml water
10g sugar
20g hemp flour
330g type O flour
15ml oil
5g salt

Preparation:

Dough: In the mixer bowl, combine the sourdough starter with the sugar, lukewarm milk and water. Add the flours, oil and finally the salt.
Kneading: Start the mixer and knead for about 10 minutes until you get a smooth and elastic dough.
Rising: Pour the dough into a pumpkin-shaped silicone pan and spread it with your fingers. Let it rise in the oven turned off, with the door closed, for about 8 hours.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 200°C and bake the bread for 10 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 180°C and continue baking for another 20 minutes.
Cooling: Remove the bread from the oven, turn it upside down on a rack and let it cool completely before serving.

This bread is perfect to accompany your Halloween-themed dinners or as a base for creative sandwiches. Hemp flour adds a unique flavor and a nutritional note rich in proteins and fiber.

Recipe sources:
– A tutta cucina A TUTTA CUCINA: PANE di HALLOWEEN alla CANAPA

Halloween history sources Samhain ‑ Traditions, Halloween, Wicca | HISTORY – Halloween | Definition, Origin, History, & Facts | Britannica