The "gros super," or big supper, usually served on Christmas Eve, ends with the ritual thirteen desserts, which represent Christ and the twelve apostles. The first four desserts are known as the four beggars, representing the four mendicant monastic orders:
Raisins for the Dominicans
Walnuts or Hazelnuts for the Augustinians
Dried Figs for the Franciscans
Almonds for the Carmelites
Then there are:
Dates, which represent the region where Christ lived and died
Apples
Pears
Oranges
Tangerines
Calissons d'Aix, a marzipan pastry with sugar icing
Two kinds of nougat, symbolizing good and evil, white and black
Fougasse or "pompe à l'huile," a brioche made with orange flower water and olive oil
Candied fruit.
There are variations on the thirteen desserts, according to each family's individual traditions.
For nougat go to Sault to Boyer. And for candied fruit go to Clavel in Carpentras.
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