Fardelejos

The fardelejos are a piece of pastry originally from Arnedo (La Rioja, Spain) and typical of La Rioja.

It is a sweet of Arab origin that began to be produced in the town of Arnedo in the 9th and 10th centuries. It consists of a very thin puff pastry coating with a filling similar to marzipan but much lighter consisting of egg, almonds ground, lemon zest and sugar. It is served covered in icing sugar and its rectangular shape with raised edge characterizes it.

In addition to being the typical sweet of popular and patron saint festivities, like the juanguila, the fardelejo can be eaten for breakfast or dessert. Today they are widely recognized as Riojan confectionery and are sold throughout the province as a typical product.