Samhain Apple Walnut Braid
Why I Love This Recipe
This braided loaf symbolizes death and is usually made around the day of the dead. Widows used to cut off their braids, and lay them in the graves of their warriors in celtic lands. Later, braided breads were served at wakes, or placed in the grave as sustenance for the journey to the Summerland.
Ingredients You'll Need
2 pkg. yeast
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 bottle (1/2 oz.) walnut flavoring
2 tbs. cinnamon
2 tbs. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. mace
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 24 oz. jar chunky applesauce
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
Directions
Proof yeast in warm water with a touch of honey. Mix dry ingredients, cut oil and walnut flavoring into flour with a pastry blender. Add fruit, nuts, eggs, honey, and yeast starter. Knead; adding flour as necessary to make dough rather dry. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1-1 1/2 hours. Punch down and divide in half, then into thirds. Roll each piece out into a fat rope and braid three together, starting in the middle, and tucking under the ends. Cover and let rise, about 30-45 minutes. preheat to 350o. Bake for 45-50 minutes.
This braided loaf symbolizes death and is usually made around the day of the dead. Widows used to cut off their braids, and lay them in the graves of their warriors in celtic lands. Later, braided breads were served at wakes, or placed in the grave as sustenance for the journey to the Summerland.
