Today's cookies are in honor of "Sant Jordi"'s legend. Just in case you are not familiar with it, the legend tells that Sant Jordi (Saint George) was a valiant knight that ended the life of an evil dragon, saving a princess from being devoured and a whole kingdom. It is said that, from the blood that burst from the mortal wound, a rose bush with red roses sprouted.
Aside from the legends, Sant Jordi's Day is one of my favourite days in Barcelona. If you ever have the oportunity to visit this city on April 23rd, you will know what I mean. Tradition dictates that men give a rose to women and they gift them with a book in return. Nowadays, of course, everybody gets a book and April 23rd is the day of lovers and books in Catalunya.
The main streets in the city are full of rose vendors and the bookstores sell their books in the street.
Today's recipe celebrates this day, with Sant Jordi and the dragon cookies and a rose cake.
One little thing: these cookies are quite strong, they are made of really dark chocolate and their taste is strong even with the sugar icing. I took the recipe from Baking a moment and they are perfect to cut because they hold the shape perfectly.
