Marzipan pigs
A homemade marzipan pig, an example of a typical "almond present"

The marzipan pig is a traditional German, Dutch, Belgian, and Scandinavian confectionery consisting of marzipan shaped as a pig.

During Jul in Norway and Sweden, a tradition is to eat a rice porridge known as risgrøt (risgrynsgröt in Swedish); a single almond is hidden in the porridge. Whoever finds the almond receives a marzipan pig as a prize.[1] The same tradition exists for Christmas Eve in Denmark, but with risalamande.

In Germany, marzipan pigs are given at New Year's for good luck (Glücksschwein).[2]

In popular culture

The Marzipan Pig (1986, ISBN 0-374-34859-6) is a children's book by Russell Hoban. The story was filmed as one of the HBO Storybook Musicals.[3]

Posankka is a hybrid marzipan pig–rubber ducky statue in Turku, Finland near the University of Turku.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Hayford O'Leary, Margaret (2010). Culture and customs of Norway. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood Press. p. 74. ISBN 9780313362491. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Word of the Week: Glücksbringer". German Mission in the United States. Archived from the original on 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  3. ^ Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. p. 295. ISBN 0-8160-3831-7. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Pinkki sekasikiö ui sydämiin". Turun Sanomat. 14 May 2009. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
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