A Catalan treat for celebrating summer
Make Coca de Sant Joan to welcome the solstice
Somehow, people, we have reached the middle of June, and during this time of year, many communities around the world celebrate the summer solstice with festivals and food. In Scandinavia, they call it Midsommar, but in Spain, we celebrate San Juan, which in Catalan we call Sant Joan, a holiday that happens each year on June 23 and 24. As a religious holiday, it marks the birth of Saint John, and it also happens to be almost exactly six months before Christmas!
In Catalunya, we celebrate Sant Joan because he is our patron saint, and the parties are especially amazing in Barcelona. Most of the party happens on the night of June 23, the “Nit del Foc,” or “the night of fire,” where bonfires are lit all around the city to give strength back to the sun as the days begin to shorten again. If you are in Barcelona during the Nit del Foc, you will see these fires everywhere, as well as amazing displays of fireworks…so if you are visiting, make sure to check out one of the higher points in the city, like Monjuic, where you’ll have an incredible view of the parties.
Of course if you are not in Spain, you can always enjoy a Sant Joan celebration at home by making Coca de Sant Joan. Coca in Spain can mean different things in different regions. It’s always a flatbread, but with different toppings—some are sweet, like this one, and some are savory, like the cocas I had in Valencia (that I think was the original inspiration for pizza!):
It takes a little bit of time and love, but I promise that it will be worth it, as you are participating in a holiday that has been celebrated for hundreds of years. Even if you are across the ocean in your own home, you will feel connected to this Spanish tradition.
Coca de San Joan
Serves 6-8