Macaroons, macarons or macaroni?

What would you imagine in your mind if I mention the word “macaroon” or “macaron”? I am sure some of you have thought of that kind of pasta which has become so popular all over the world. I am sorry to tell you are wrong. In English, the term macaroon is to refer to a small cake you can find in any bakery. They are also called meringue-like cookies and they are made up of white eggs and some seeds, usually accompanied by coconut (a recipe very common in Scotland).

The historical and also etymological origin of this sweet baked confection is an Italian monastery in the sixteen century, where some nuns produce them. They traveled to France, where the Italian label “maccherone” became “macaron”, a famous Parisian recipe which has some variations from the English one and became popular during the French Revolution, since it was very cheap and easy to do. This French little cake is recognizable because of its shape, similar to a hamburguer (see photo).

As you know, the English are not very proud of having taken so many words from the French, so they added another “o” so that its name sounded diferent. That way, the macaroons spread throughout England and America, whereas many of us will be deceived again, thinking they are macaroni, the real Italian pasta that all of us have tasted at least once.