All Saints Day, Maresme

The All Saints’ Day festival, celebrated every November 1, is one of the most deeply rooted and awaited traditions in Catalonia. This date offers us the opportunity to remember and honour loved ones who are no longer here, and at the same time, to enjoy various traditions that are part of our cultural heritage.

One of the most characteristic elements of this celebration are the flowers, which fill the cemeteries with colors and fragrances. Families come to place flowers, especially candles, roses and chrysanthemums, on the graves of their deceased. This show of respect and love is an emotional moment that strengthens family ties and our identity as a people.

In addition, during these days, local markets, shops and streets are filled with chestnuts. The tradition of eating chestnuts on All Saints’ Day is one of the most deeply rooted in Catalan popular culture. Accompanied by panellets, these little delicacies are a real pleasure that cannot be missing from any table during these dates.

Originally, panellets were simple pastries made with a marzipan base, made mainly of almonds, sugar and egg, and covered with pine nuts, which gave them their characteristic appearance. Over the years, the recipe and flavors of panellets have evolved and you can find panellets with flavors such as coconut, coffee, lemon, orange, chocolate, strawberry or even with more innovative ingredients. This evolution has made panellets more attractive to all ages, while maintaining their traditional essence. Thus, panellets have gone from being a simple and humble sweet to a diversified delicacy that combines tradition and innovation, becoming a symbol of Catalan gastronomy during autumn.