La Laguna has its own pastry, and judging by how little known it is outside the city, it deserves a bit more attention.
The laguneros are traditional puff pastry rings filled with cabello de ángel, the sweet pumpkin-based filling found in plenty of Spanish pastries.
Their name comes directly from La Laguna itself, and they are considered one of the city’s characteristic local foods.
So, what exactly is a lagunero?
The traditional version is made from puff pastry shaped into a ring and filled with cabello de ángel.
The crisp, flaky pastry works rather well with the soft, sweet filling inside.
There are also versions made with guava paste instead of cabello de ángel. Some recipes finish them with a simple glaze made from sugar, lemon and water.
The basic method is fairly straightforward. Strips of puff pastry are filled, sealed and shaped into rings before being baked. Once cooled, they can be covered with the sugary glaze.
Nothing particularly complicated. Sometimes the old recipes get things right without needing a kitchen full of gadgets.
A proper La Laguna speciality
What makes the laguneros interesting is their connection to the city.
Tourism information for La Laguna specifically lists them among the municipality’s characteristic gastronomic products. They are also included in the Gastronomic Guide to Spain’s World Heritage Cities, which describes the rosquetes laguneros as puff pastry filled with cabello de ángel.
La Laguna has a long tradition of pastry making, with the city’s convents also known for their handmade sweets. The Claras and Catalinas are particularly associated with traditional confectionery in the city.
There are historical references to bakeries and establishments producing sweets in the old town during the 20th century too.
What isn’t clear, however, is exactly who invented the lagunero or when.
There doesn’t appear to be enough reliable documentation to credit a particular baker, shop or specific date, so it’s safer to describe them as a traditional La Laguna sweet rather than inventing a nice little origin story.
A fitting sweet for Cristo day
The laguneros are getting a bit of attention today for another reason.
Monday 14 September is the main day of the Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna, one of the biggest dates in the city’s calendar.
The day includes the traditional religious processions through the historic centre, with the Cristo returning to his sanctuary at midday and another procession taking place in the evening.
Then, at 11:00pm, the celebrations finish with the famous Fuegos del Risco.
So if you’re in La Laguna today enjoying the Cristo celebrations, keep an eye out for the city’s own pastry.
After all, if a sweet is literally named after the place you’re visiting, it seems a bit rude not to try one.