A few years ago I wrote a blog about Dalmatian traditions about All Saints Day (November 1). Back then, I mentioned one custom which is not as spiritual as the very nature of that day. Yes, All Saints Day is religious holiday, but just like almost any other of that kind it's followed with some traditional treat. In this case, it's called bobići (pron. bohbeechy), at least in Split. Elsewhere those little brown, white or (in some places) pink sweet balls are known as favete, favetti, or in Italy fave dei santi, or fave dei morti.

In the old days, bobići were made in almost every household in Dalmatia. Today, you don't have to be a culinary grandmaster to make them, bobići are available in every pastry shop, even in supermarkets. Some are really good, some not so much, but it's easy to choose - wherever you see more people buying them, it's your place.

Recently, excellent culinary blog Oblizeki published nice story about bobići, even with a recipe. Writer Božica Brkan says that bobići's origins can be found in northern Italy, more precise Venice and Trieste. They probably arrived to Dalmatia in times when Venice Republic ruled pretty much whole eastern Adriatic, except Dubrovnik. However, story might be even older, according to Božica and her sources. A few years ago Split City Museum had an exhibition on food traditions in Split, and booklet following the exhibition said that bobići, or favetti arrived to Italy from ancient Greece. With Venetian expansion bobići arrived to our shores. Same booklet explained that this sweet was always connected to the All Saints Day. That's why pastry shops would offer them at the end of October. Today, you can buy it anytime, but stick to the tradition. As we can read at Oblizeki, name of this sweet might also have something to do with All Saints. Back in the 10th century French abbot Odilon fed his fellow monks with fava beans (aka kidney beans) on Day of Souls (November 2), to help them endure the wake. Ever since this vegetable became inseparable part of All Saints customs, and late some unknown pastry master made it into a sweet. Allegedly, first known recipe for bobići as we know them today was registered in the 18th century Trieste.

Whatever is the story, forget Halloween treats, there is no trick with bobići.