There is nothing that has not been said, told, studied… already about the Magical Night of San Juan: which is the shortest of the year; that begins summer; that from the early morning of June 23 to 24, the high bathing season on the coast officially begins; which had a pagan origin to celebrate the summer solstice; which serves to burn at the stake all the bad things of the year; that jumping over the bonfire brings good luck; that bathing in the sea that night purifies the soul and many more topics.

Fun for all

Those who experience the Magical Night of San Juan the most are the young people who enjoy it from the first moment until dawn. As everyone knows, it is a party that is preferably celebrated on the beach, where hundreds of bonfires are lit, around which all the participants, from children, parents, grandparents, young people, visitors and other curious people, eat, drink, dance. , they laugh and have a great time.

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The Bonfires

The Bonfires on the night of San Juan have their origin in a magical ritual whose purpose was to return the life-giving and germinating heat of the sun. This custom of lighting bonfires lasted during the spread of Christianity, blending in with sacred festivities such as the birth of Saint John the Baptist (June 24) and the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Saint Paul (June 29). Furthermore, fire purifies and burns the old and bad, in order to make room for new opportunities and desires, driving away evil spirits and purifying the soul.

The Oil Buns of San Juan de Almuñécar

On San Juan’s Day it is traditional in Almuñécar to eat the typical San Juan buns. In almost all the bakeries in Almuñécar, the oldest city on the Mediterranean in Spain, in the days before and some after June 24, the classic oil buns of San Juan de Almuñécar are sold and can be tasted.

Common ingredients

The recipe, although it may have some variations, normally for four buns consists of the following ingredients: four hundred grams of strong flour, one hundred milliliters of olive oil, one hundred and seventy milliliters of warm water, twenty grams of fresh yeast, six grams of anise , a pinch of salt and four eggs.

Preparation of the San Juan de Almuñécar Oil Buns

Then, for its preparation, a source is used in which four hundred grams of strong flour and a pinch of salt are added, and it is mixed well. Afterwards, the mixture we have made is poured onto a flat marble surface, a griddle, a work table or into a terrine, making a ready pile, in the middle of which a hole, or well, is formed to pour the other ingredients (this This is what is called a flour volcano).

Then you have to put the warm water to dissolve the yeast, then you have to pour this mixture and the oil into the center of the volcano, and with the help of a fork integrate everything. You have to sprinkle a little flour on a surface like a board and knead there for several minutes. At this time, add the anise, and continue kneading so that the anise is well distributed.

Then let the dough rest in a bowl covered with a damp cloth for almost an hour. On the other hand, the eggs are washed, and the dough must be divided into two, and a small portion is subtracted from each of these parts.
It is given an elliptical shape by lengthening the peaks at the ends, a hole is made in the center to put the egg, and with the removed portion two strips are made to be placed in the shape of a cross on the egg to hold it.

Let it rest for half an hour, then bake in the oven preheated to two hundred degrees for about three-quarters of an hour or until golden brown. Let cool and enjoy them.

Come and enjoy the bonfires and buns of Almuñécar

Don’t think twice, come to Almuñécar to enjoy the Magical Night of San Juan on any of its beaches, and taste the San Juan oil buns. Or thanks to this post, make them yourself.

Don’t wait for them to tell you, come, live it and do it for yourself.