It turns out that between the end of September and the beginning of October, in the northern hemisphere there is stable weather and warmer temperatures than normal for that season of the year. It has been popularly called the Midsummer of San Miguel because it coincides with the name day of San Miguel.
In this article We will explain a little more about this phenomenon and the cultural environment around it.
Summer of San Miguel
Throughout the fall, there are often periods, each several days long, when the weather reminds us of summer, with hot sunny days in the middle of the day. The summer of San Miguel is the most famous of these warm times and bears the name of the saint, since it usually occurs around the date of his name day, which is celebrated on September 29. Here we will explain the reasons for this phenomenon.
What is considered a "veranillo"?
Indian Summer is a so-called annual atmospheric event. During the last days of summer and the first day of autumn, temperatures will be higher than before. It will then resume its typical fall process in the fall.
In the southern hemisphere The same thing happens when winter begins, known as Summer of San Juan. It is called that because it is close to June 24, the Saint John's name day.
What scientific basis does the summer of San Miguel have?
There are weather sayings for almost everything, there are many sayings and popular beliefs. The truth is that there is no scientific reason that justifies this "indian summer" or anything else. Still, there are a few reasons why it happens.
At the end of September, summer is over and we have the first blow of autumn. This time of year is characterized by transitions between seasons. Warm days are interspersed with cool days. The changing atmosphere usually results in "good weather" for the next few days.
just a chance
Looking further ahead, the trend of weather changes will continue for a few weeks until full installation in the fall. In fact, On November 11, the “Veranillo de San Martín” takes place., the last shake of the summer.
During transitional seasons, such as fall and spring, it is normal for cool days to alternate with warm ones. Matching the saint is something else. In a popular way, even today, we name Veranillo de San Miguel as the good weather event that occurs at the end of September.
Was there a day in San Miguel that was not summer?
Flood of Cartagena in the XNUMXth century
Although it is the majority of the years that the summer of San Miguel happens, it may be that some years there is not. If we look at the set of important events that have happened around this date, floods occurred in Murcia in 1664 and 1919, where there were 20 deaths. Also in Malaga in 1764, Valencia in 1791 and Cartagena in 1858. And in Alicante, there were tragic floods between September 29 and 30, 1997.
In fact, most recent flooding was September 27-29, 2012, affecting Lorca, Puerto Lumbreras, Malaga, Almeria or Alicante, even causing the death of several people.
Popular tradition of the summer of San Miguel
The popular celebrations coincide with many agricultural tasks of this timelike vintage. Due to outdoor activities, people are more concerned about the weather. This phenomenon eventually became our popular wisdom, passed down from father to son.
The same thing happens in early spring and late winter. Good days alternate with cold days, however, we do not have winters. This is not the day that it can be used in the country or in the city. Therefore, they are ignored without anyone giving them their name.
Why quince summer?
There are other names, such as Veranillo de los Arcángeles or Veranillo del Membrillo, since they coincide with the maturity of the quince. The quince is the fruit of a small tree of the family Rosaceae, and is the only member of the genus Cydonia. This tree grows in cool and temperate climates and is native to the Caucasus in Southwest Asia. It arrived in Spain from Greece and was later exported to the United States.
Quince flowers appear in spring, behind the buds of its leaves, and are white with reddish hues.
There are different varieties of this tree depending on the climate, topography, age and cultivation system.. Among the varieties of quince we find:
- Common: It is medium in size and its skin is golden yellow. It is also quite aromatic.
- Steroid: It is yellow in color and large.
- Wranja Giant: In Spain, it is the most commercialized variety. The fruit is very large, rounded, with smooth skin and a yellowish hue, inside it is whitish. It is very aromatic and has an acid taste.
- From Portugal: With yellow skin and quite round, it has a scented pulp.
- Wow de Mau: It is quite similar to the variety from Portugal.
The quince harvest season is from the end of September to December.. When they ripen, they emit an intense odour, they are a very aromatic fruit and they lose the covering of hair that forms the fuzz of the fruit. When it is immature, it gives off practically no aroma, it is covered with little hairs and its color is green, similar to that of an apple. During harvest, it is advisable to be careful not to touch these fruits. Harvesting should take place when the dew has dried to prevent the fruit from rotting.
In Spain, the most common culinary use of quince is quince meat or jam, and compote. However, it is used to accompany meat and fish. Internationally highlights: the quince tagine, a typical dish of Maghreb cuisine; the French cotignac, a colored quince jelly; the pastafrolas, a kind of Argentine cakes, and the English quince sauce, used to make the pudding.
Quince meat recipe
As here we are a bit of cooks, we leave you the recipe of how quince meat is made.
Ingredients:
- 2 kg of quinces
- 2 kg of sugar
- Cinnamon stick
- Lemon juice
Preparation:
peel and cut the quinces into four pieces and remove the heart. You put them in a container with water and lemon. When they are all, you take them out of the water and weigh the same quantity of quinces as of sugar. Put everything together in a pressure cooker with cinnamon on branch. As soon as the steam begins to come out, place the valve and cook them for 20 or 25 minutes over low heat. The valve must not rotate. Let the pot cool until it can be opened. Now beat it all, with the help of a blender, and Pour it into the containers you want to store it in, until it sets.
I hope that this information about the summer of San Miguel has been useful to you, and if you dare with the recipe, tell us how it turned out for you.