Does anyone know how "Trionfo di Fragole" or Strawberry Cream Cake got its name?
I recently enjoyed the most delicious sponge cake with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The recipe was called "Trionfo di Fragole" which translated into English means "Triumph of Strawberries" which it certainly was. However, despite searching ( in Italian!) I can find no history of the cake. I'm blogging about it on www.chewingthefat.us.com and would love some back story. Thank You
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chefsusie's answer: Perhaps this will give you starting place? Sant'Antonio da Padova. Festa delle fragole a Campo de' Fiori In occasion of the festivity of Sant'Antonio da Padova, the Roman girls who used to harvest strawberries organised every 13 th of June a party in Campo de' Fiori to celebrate the ending of the harvest time. This festivity was called Trionfo delle fragole , that is Triumph of the Strawberries. At the centre of the field was built a very big basket around which the girls used to lay little baskets filled with strawberries. At the end of this "ritual" sturdy men used to carry the basket on their heads through the streets of the centre. During the procession girls and boys used to sing merry songs celebrating Sant'Antonio, such as: Salutiamo cor fischietto sant'Antonio Benedetto. Trullallero, trullalà Tutti quanti a sfravolà. The celebration ended with a general, and generous, distribution of the strawberries.
Thought you might be interested in Marcella Hazan's answer:
Marcella Hazan My dear Monte, I am grateful for your kind thoughts. "Triumph of ..." is a not uncommon title for a dish that exalts the qualities of one of its components. It has no regional roots, nor do I believe, has the dessert you made, although it sounds delicious. How can you go wrong with strawberries and custard cream?
In any case, it is a delicious cake!
Voted the Best Reply!
Sant'Antonio da Padova. Festa delle fragole a Campo de' Fiori
In occasion of the festivity of Sant'Antonio da Padova, the Roman girls who used to harvest strawberries organised every 13 th of June a party in Campo de' Fiori to celebrate the ending of the harvest time.
This festivity was called Trionfo delle fragole , that is Triumph of the Strawberries. At the centre of the field was built a very big basket around which the girls used to lay little baskets filled with strawberries.
At the end of this "ritual" sturdy men used to carry the basket on their heads through the streets of the centre. During the procession girls and boys used to sing merry songs celebrating Sant'Antonio, such as:
Salutiamo cor fischietto
sant'Antonio Benedetto.
Trullallero, trullalà
Tutti quanti a sfravolà.
The celebration ended with a general, and generous, distribution of the strawberries.