The Costco Connection - October 2018

s newlyweds in our first house, my husband and I were lucky to have a generous Swedish neighbor, who brought us homemade saffron buns each Christmas season.

The unexpected gift was enhanced by an aura of mystique—she’s splurging with saffron on us?! We felt special, and each time I encounter the world’s costliest spice, I think of her.

These golden saffron buns are tradi-
tionally served in Scandinavian countries
on St. Lucia Day. But saffron plays an
important role in food traditions of
other countries too, particularly in the
Mediterranean. Culinary anthropologist,
author and blogger Jenn Campus (jenn
campusauthor.com) discovered the
importance of saffron in Sardinian cui-
sine when she moved from Vermont to
the Italian island. “During festivals in
Sardinia, they serve saffron fried dough-
nuts,” she says. “It lends an earthy flavor
to balance the sweetness.” She incorpo-
rated the ingredient when adapting