Neules or neulas as they are also known, are a typical Catalan dessert, which is present at Christmas parties. It consists of a type of cylindrical-shaped wafer, sweet, light and crunchy made with wheat flour, sugar, egg yolk and butter. For cooking, a Neuller is used, made up of two plates held in a pincer shape with a hinge. In this the liquid mixture is placed which is spread throughout the plate and finally with a stick it is rolled, adopting its characteristic shape.
They can be eaten alone or accompanied with ice cream, sorbets or the delicious Catalan cream.
The origin of the neules
It is said that its name comes from the Latin Nebula, which means fog, cloud or something light, as its consistency really is. It is also said that it is much older than nougat, they even say that its origins are linked to monasteries of nuns who are credited with its creation. Furthermore, the raw materials in abundance were only present in the abbeys, and the origin coincides with the records of history.
The first neules were not cylindrical but rather flat, and had a prayer. So its origin definitely seems to be linked to religious centers.
Tradition of the Neules
Since medieval times, neules have been present in the customs of our countrymen, at that time it was customary to eat neules rather with salty food. They were eaten flat, with pepper and salt, accompanied by an aged wine while Christmas carols were celebrated. It is from the 17th century that its shape changes to cylindrical, which is how it remains to this day. From that date on, its consumption increased, becoming popular as a traditional sweet, typical of Catalan gastronomy, being sold in the most select establishments in Barcelona. Later it became, along with nougat and marzipan, a traditional sweet in Catalan Christmas cuisine.
They say that one of the Catalan traditions when eating neules was to share this sweet with the family along with nougat, every Sunday from the day of the Immaculate Conception, which is December 8, until February 2, day of the candelaria
Other people say that in the time of Jaume I they used to dip the wafers in some type of liquor. Even in the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes, they began to give the inhabitants of the community 13 neules accompanied by a jug of wine, with the purpose of remembering what King James I once did.
So, the next time you find yourself savoring some neules, remember its centuries-old history and tradition.
