What are the thirteen deserts? I would like to surprise our visitor.

Any visitor would be surprised by that! <BR>Start with Sahara Carmels, Gobi Globules, Death Valley Divinity and Three-layer Mojave Lemon Squares. Does anyone remember the names of the other nine?

Hi Cora, <BR>Ignore the first post from the smart-aleck & I'll try to assist, if I may. <BR> <BR>First, there's a great deal of variability in what is served for the 13 desserts, although a couple of items are musts. These variabilities are from town to town in Provence, and have often depended on how well which fruits grew that year, as well as materials & abilities of bakers! <BR> <BR>The 4 beggars (quatre mendiants) are a staple each year. These are almonds, figs, raisins & nuts. They symbolize the mendiant orders of the Church: The Carmelites, Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians respectively. Another must is pompe a l'huile, a sweet bread-like pastry which is made with olive oil. Black nougat & white nougat (a kind of fudge) are also served every year, as are various types of fruits: apples, plums, grapes, pears, dates. Dried fruits are also usually served, as is quince jelly. In some areas, panade (an apple tart), or calisson (marzipan) or biscotins (ccokies from Aix) are served, or Buche de Noel are served, and these last especially are based on what's available in town. <BR> <BR>There has always been some variation on which fruits get served every year, as the households used to set aside some of the fruits of each year's harvest to be served as part of the 13 desserts. <BR>Bon Appetit! <BR>BC

P.S. Sorry! Sometimes people serve cheese (very naturally, in France!) or fondant, also! <BR>best Wishes, <BR>BC

Very ambitious, Cora so here goes. <BR>The 13 reflects the number around the table at the last supper. <BR>raisens,dried figs,almonds, and hazelnuts. then come walnuts, dates or prunes. apples, pears then melon or grapes or oranges. Nougat and calissons and the 13th an orange water flavered cake made from yeast and egg dough