Valentine’s Day Traditions in Estonia
As in most of the countries, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 14th February in Estonia. Estonia celebrates Valentines Day with high excitement and romantic spirit. Estonian people consider the day as a time to pay honor to the great patron of love, St. Valentine, who fought against the injustice meted out to the lovers.
Valentine’s Day tradition in Estonia is known as Sobrapaev which means friendship day in English. It is celebrated as a sacred day which epitomizes the divinity of love. Weeks before the arrival of the day, hectic arrangements are done like decorating shopping malls, local stores, boulevards in Estonia. Estonian people exchange gifts as a symbol of love on this day. Flowers, greeting cards, gift basket are the gifts which Estonians consider as the most romantic gifts.
"Purukook"
Estonian crumble cake
400 g (3 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour (1/3 to 1/2 can be spelt or wholegrain flour)
85 grams (3 oz) caster sugar
a pinch of salt
200 g (7 oz or 2 Tbsp less than 2 sticks) cold butter, cubed
1 egg
Filling:
500 g thick jam/marmelade
Line a parchment paper or a butter carefully into bottom of a 25x35cm cake tin
Preheat the oven to 200 C/400 F.
Measure the flour, sugar and salt into a mixing bowl.
Add the butter and using a knife or your fingers, cut and mix until the mixture reminds of a wet sand. (You can do it in your food processor).
Put about 1/3 of the mixture into a small bowl and put aside - this will be your crumble mixture.
(Feel free to add a handful of desiccated coconut to this mixture, or perhaps some cinnamon or other spices).
Add the egg to the remaining mixture and combine until wet crumble form. Scatter into the cake tin, spread evenly and then press down with the palm of your hand.
(If your filling is on the soft side, you may want to pre-bake the base for about 15 minutes, until it looks golden)
Spread the filling evenly over the (partially baked) base. Scatter the crumble mixture evenly on top.
Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 30 minutes, until the crumble mixture is light golden brown.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool before cutting into small bars.
Good baking!
Our students took photos of Valentineś day themed cakes.
