Sfințișori (Little saints) ormucenici moldovenești (Moldavian martyrs), are traditional pastries fromRomania andMoldova made to commemorate on March 9 (or March 22, as perJulian calendar), the Christian feast of the40 Martyrs of Sebaste, a traditional holiday in Romania and Moldova.[1]
In the historical region ofMoldavia, Sfințișori were dough in large shapes of the figure 8, baked, then smeared with honey and walnuts.[2]
In theMuntenia andDobruja regions of Romania, similar traditional pastries are namedmucenici. The dough is smaller and boiled in water with sugar, cinnamon and crushed nuts, symbolizing the lake where the Martyrs were cast.
