Alajú

Alajú or alajuz is a Castilian cake originating in Cuenca in Spain. It is traditionally made with an almond base, roasted bread crumbs, spices, and honey. It is then covered with two wafers on the sides of the base. Almonds may be substituted with other nuts, such as pine nuts.[1][2]

History

In its most authentic form, Alajú is made in parts of Valencia bordering Castilla-La Mancha–especially in Ademuz and the Utiel-Requena region. Traditionally, the Utiel-Requena region is more Castilian than Valencian–it was after all a part of the province of Cuenca until 1851.[3]

The cake is most popular in the municipality of Moratalla in northwest Murcia, near Alcarria. This is probably because honey is widely available in that region.[4]

The word Alajú comes from the Arabic term "Al-hasu", meaning "filling".

It was also a typical dessert in Tudela, Spain, and is similar to a version currently eaten in Cuenca. A "lost dessert", it was revived from historical recipes. It is usually made with two Turrones–nougats made of honey and almonds, respectively called "miel royo" and "turrón royo". These differ from alajú as they do not include breadcrumbs.[5]

References
  1. "Receta de Alajú • Gurmé" (in European Spanish). Gurmé. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  2. "El Alajú". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  3. "Dulce Alajú - Postre Tipíco de Cuenca -Tortas de Alajú" (in European Spanish). 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  4. "Dulce Alajú - Postre Tipíco de Cuenca -Tortas de Alajú" (in European Spanish). Guia Turistica de Cuenca. 6 June 2013. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  5. "Alajú" (in European Spanish). El Cotidiano. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  • How to make alajú step by step (Spanish) Rtve.es 


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