TheSpina Santa orHoly Spina sweet it is one of the typicalNisseni sweets born of the Benedictine monastery in Italy, together with thecrocetta di Caltanissetta. Both were prepared and donated during the feast of the Holy Crucifix on September 14 by the cloistered nuns of the Benedictine monastery annexed to the church of Santa Croce.
The name derives from theMarruca plant (Paliurus spina-christi Mill.) with which they are presented, whose branches, it is said, were woven for the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of Jesus.[1][2]
The ingredients of the Holy spina are typical of theCaltanissetta area at the beginning of the last century. They are almonds, sugar, sweet mulberry puréeand dark chocolate.[2]
The Holy Spina is a typicalSicilianconvent sweet.
