|
|
The Bread Tradition
Portuguese Sweet Bread, or massa sovada, was
often baked at Easter, as it is thought to symbolize rebirth.
Many recipes call for an egg to be cracked in the center of the
bread, as a symbol of the rock tomb of Jesus.
Mary's mother insisted that the ritual of
baking sweet bread be shrouded in secrecy, and no one in the
house ever knew when the bread would be made. Her mother would
wait until the house was quiet, all were in bed, and the blinds
were drawn tightly before taking out the enamel basin and
assembling the ingredients. It was her belief that, had anyone
suspected the bread was about to be made, it would cause "mal
olho" or the evil eye, a curse that would render the bread flat
and useless, and visit bad luck upon the household.
Mary’s daughter, Mary Soares (CEO of Mary’s
Portuguese Sweet Bread, LLC) now preserves her family’s
tradition by selling her mother's bread throughout New England
and the world. Building on the original recipe, Mary has now
added her own specialty products, including dinner rolls and
mini loaves that retain all of the unique qualities of the
original sweet bread. |
|
Mary Angel Mattos Soares