Marzipan Pigs and other Christmas Delights

<p>I didn’t know about the wonderful German confection called <a href=”http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-history-of-marzipan.htm” target=”_blank”>marzipan</a> until my 20-something year old high school German language teacher gave me a small box of marzipan fruit for Christmas my sophomore year (yes, I had a terrible crush on her). The perfect miniature beauty of the <a href=”http://forayintofood.blogspot.com/2007/12/marzipan-fruits.html” target=”_blank”>marzipan fruit</a> didn’t stop me from sampling; I have been smitten by the flavor of marzipan candy ever since. Who knew that almond flour (with some low percentage of bitter almond) and sugar could be worked into such a delicious and versatile culinary clay. The material is used for much more than making delicious little figures, but that’s what I keyed in on … and am still focussed on.</p>
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<p>I am shocked to report that I have gone whole hog with marzipan this Christmas. Kate, who most definitely doesn’t love the flavor of marzipan, gave me a box of chocolate covered marzipan and a marzipan pig. I am embarrassed to report that I have consumed an entire pork belly, pair of hams, pair of shoulders and more, already this morning. I am weak when it comes to marzipan.</p>
<p>There’s more to the marzipan pig than meets the eye, however. This confection is a traditional German gift that symbolizes good luck and prosperity when given at Christmas and New Year’s. I am indeed lucky … this particular pig had a meerschaum pipe and four-leaf clover in its mouth.</p>