Festa Junina (June Festival) is one of Brazil's most joyful and widely celebrated cultural traditions, marking the dry season and the feast days of Saints Anthony, John, and Peter. Along with the square dancing, checkered outfits, and forró music, the food of Festa Junina is an essential part of the celebration.
The Essential Festa Junina Foods
Canjica
Hominy (dried corn kernels soaked in water) cooked in sweetened coconut milk with cinnamon and cloves until thick and pudding-like. Served warm in clay cups. The definitive Festa Junina sweet.
Paçoca
A dry, crumbly candy made from ground roasted peanuts, sugar, and cassava flour compressed into small blocks. Intensely peanutty and addictive. Sold wrapped in paper at every Festa Junina stall.
Pé-de-Moleque
A brittle peanut candy similar to peanut brittle, made with roasted peanuts set in thick caramelized sugar. Sticky, crunchy, and caramel-sweet.
Bolo de Milho
A dense, moist corn cake made from fresh corn, eggs, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. The most universally loved Festa Junina cake.
Quentão
Brazil's answer to mulled wine: a warm punch made from cachaça, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and sugar. Essential for cool June evenings.