Carol Goodman Kaufman, in a recent article for The Forward, writes, “Tu B’Shvat, on the 15th of the month of Shvat (the “T” and “U” equate to the numbers 9 and 6, respectively), was originally designated for the purpose of calculating the age of trees both for harvesting and tithing purposes. The Torah prohibits fruit from being eaten during the first three years of a tree’s growth, but on Tu B’Shvat we eat the first fruits of the fourth year, as well as samples of the seven species mentioned in the Torah (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.)
Even though almonds aren’t included among the seven species, their trees blossom at around the same time in the month of Shvat (roughly February), so the holiday has evolved over time to include the nuts in its menu of delights.”
Read more: http://forward.com/food/330279/almonds-and-marzipan-for-tu-bshvat/#ixzz3y2ghzHtj
The article includes a recipe for marzipan.
I am reprinting here our Rhodesli recipe for Masapan, in honor of Tu B’shvat. Thank you, Carol, for the inspiration!
“Masapan”……marzipan….that delicious sweet that our mothers lovingly make for engagements, weddings, a brit milan or a Bar (and today even a Bat) Mitzvah. Basically a homemade almond confection made with ground almonds and sugar, Marzipan traces it’s origin to …..well….that depends. Some say the Persian empire, introduced to Europe by the Turks; others claim the origin to be Spain. In any case, it got to us, was a delicacy on our beloved Island of Rhodes, and our grandmothers brought it here with them when they came to these shores.
While some in Eastern Europe talk of marzipan being colored and fashioned into miniature fruit-like shapes, our variation is kept in it’s white, pure state, made into a simple design – A very special variety is shaped into a ‘pastelico’ like cup and filled with rosewater or orange blossom scented ‘shroupe’, capped and artfully edged….a treat for the senses!
My mother, Kaye Hasson Israel, uses a recipe shared with her by Rebecca Levy. I watched her make it last week. Here is the recipe and photos. This recipe makes about 125 pieces of masapan.
6 C almonds
3 C sugar
4 C water
Start with raw almonds. To blanche, bring a pot of water to a boil. ( enough water to cover the almonds). When water boils, add almonds and leave them in for 4 to 5 minutes (until skin is loose).
Rinse in a colander with cold water. Remove the skins from the almonds and place almonds into a bowl of cold water ( to prevent discoloration).
Take a clean towel and dry almonds thoroughly.
Put almonds into food processor with blade.
Grind to a fine texture.
In the meantime, mix sugar and water and heat over medium/high flame. Make sure sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil. This is to make a sticky syrup. Stir and watch carefully so it does not discolor or burn.
Test for correct stickiness by removing spoon from pot, allow it to cool a bit, placing a drop on your fingers and noting a ‘thread’ of sugar when pressing then pulling apart finger and thumb.
At this point, lower the heat and add ground almonds. Thoroughly blend and constantly stir mixture. Cook and stir masapan until it reaches a dough-like consistency. ( it will cleanly leave the sides and bottom of the pan). Remove from heat and allow to thoroughly cool
Once cooled, knead on your rolling surface to create a smooth dough. Pinch off small portions and roll into a long strip. (Perhaps cut into 10 – 12 portions before rolling).
Keep a bowl of water handy. Dampen your rolling surface and hands, as it will make it easier to roll out. Cut at an angle into diamond shaped pieces.
Our tradition has been to top with a decorative silver ball ( dragees ). These are for decoration and not to be consumed.
For engagements, our tradition has been to make a “mano” (hand) fashioned out of masapan, with silver dragees across the ring finger. This is fashioned on a tray, surrounded by cut pieces of masapan, jordan almonds and often, a gold leafed piece of ‘aruda’ ( the rue plant).
Like all our delicacies, masapan takes a bit of practice. And the results are divine! Enjoy for your special celebrations…and for a special Passover treat!
Bendichas manos!
BendichasManos.com 
Yummy!! What if you don’t have a food processor?? What’s the old fashioned way of doing it?
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Hija,
If you don’t have a food processor……borrow one!!!
Back in the day, my mom used an old fashioned grinder……set it up, screwed it on to a counter or wooden table. Lots of work. Mashala….the food processor made this task much easier!!
Next project ….making the ‘pastilicos’ of masapan…filled with “Sally’s Shroupe”
Hugs,
~m
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I think I remember my mom using that thing you attach to a bread board that we use for prasa – I have hers with the attachments!!
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Thanks so much. What wonderful memories I have of my mom making it. XOXO
>________________________________ > From: Bendichas Manos (Bendichos Manos) >To: toothpam@yahoo.com >Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 4:41 PM >Subject: [New post] ‘Masapan’ ( Marzipan) > > WordPress.com >bendichosmanos posted: “”Masapan”……marzipan….that delicious sweet that our mothers lovingly make for engagements, weddings, a brit milan or a Bar (and today even a Bat) Mitzvah. Basically a homemade almond confection made with ground almonds and sugar, Marzipan traces it'” >
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Thanks, Pami !! Hugs!!!
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Thank you so much for posting this wonderful recipe. I can hardly wait to try it. Love, Roz
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, Roz!
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This is absolutely my favorite Sephardic dessert
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Thanks, Rach! When you make it, let us know how it comes out!!!
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I like to get the almonds ground much smoother. Whereas I also use a food processor, it has to be a high speed one and the blade has to be for fine grinding. You can see the results on my CD “Las Comedicas de Rodes” which I published in 2008.
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As to the engagement mano, my mom would make a hand in the form of a hand, rather then as shown in your picture. MYA. PS. I loved the article.
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A celebration would not be complete without masapan. I miss my grandmother’s gizadas. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
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Thank for responding, Claudia! Good memories!!!!
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Thanks for sharing,
We do it the same way in my family and we call it “mogados” 🙂
Besos 😉
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I absolutely love marzipan!! Thank you for the recipe!I’m going to make this soon!!
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What a wonderful tribute to your Mom and your heritage! Thanks to your blog, I will attempt to make masapan for the very first time. I will put it in the bumbumyettas (sp?) for Aaron’s wedding in February. I loved it growing up, but strangely my mom didn’t make it. She sure could cook all the other Sephardic recipes, though. Love, Elaine
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Hello
I’m looking to bring some masapan to my parents this year for pesach. Can you confirm that the C is for cup? Don’t want to mess the ingredients up at the first hurdle! I made masapan many years ago with my Savta – I’m looking forward to trying to recreate this delicious sweet.
Thanks so much, I love your blog xxx
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Thank you for visiting the blog. Yes. C is for Cups. Good luck! Have a wonderful Pesah holiday. They’ll be delighted with the masapan!!!
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