Judases

In my previous post, Holy Thursday in the Home, I mentioned the Czechoslovakian tradition of serving Judases on Holy Thursday:

On Green Thursday (Holy Thursday) the Czechoslovakians eat "Judases" and greens--a soup of green herbs followed by a green salad. Housewives busy themselves with the preparation of the Easter foods that will be consumed on the holy weekend. They say:

Soon will come Green Thursday
When we shall bake the Lamb;
We shall eat Judases farina
And three spoonfuls of honey.

"Judasas" are served with honey at breakfast in Czechoslovakia. These are breakfast cakes of twisted dough, made to look like rope, suggesting the fate of Judas the Betrayer, who "went and hanged himself" in remorse after he had identified Jesus to His enemies. Honey is considered a preventive against disaster (Easter the World Over by Priscilla Sawyer Lord and Daniel J. Foley, 1971, p. 58).

I had mentioned that I couldn't find a recipe, nor did I know the Czechoslovakian name. A reader, Michelle, was up for a challenge and found a recipe (and also thanks to P.J. for sending another one). After I found that they are called "Jidáše" (pronounced yi-dah-shay), I was able to find one other one. I've adapted the recipes below, fleshing out instructions and posting it here. I have to give warning that the recipe is "untested" and the conversions into American measurements in parentheses are my suggestions and not exact. I've shared a few photos to illustrate there are various interpretations on how to shape the "rope", so there's not one "correct" way to form the bread, so have fun!

And although the Czechoslovakian tradition is to serve them on Holy Thursday, in remembrance of Judas hanging himself, I think I would serve them the day before, today, on Spy Wednesday. It is known as Spy Wednesday because this is the day in the liturgy that Judas met with the high priests and made the bargain for his betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (Matt 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:1-6).

Recipe for Jidáše or Judases (Easter sweet rolls):

500 g of regular flour (4 cups)
250 ml of milk (1 cup)
30 g of yeast (1 oz)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 egg yolks
120 g of butter (8 Tbsp or 1/2 cup)
80 g of honey (1/4 cup)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk for egg wash, beaten with small amount of water
honey thinned with water for glaze

Prepare the leavening mixture using the milk, yeast and sugar. In a separate bowl, blend the butter, egg yolks and 80 grams of honey. Mix in the flour with the leavening mixture, then add the butter and egg mixture. Add grated lemon zest and salt. Leave the dough to rise for one hour. Then, cut strips and shape them into spirals (this shape is to remind us of the rope with which Judas hung himself). Arrange the rolls on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and let rise. Preheat oven to 375°F, brush the jidáše with the egg wash. Bake for about 15-20 minutes at 375°F or until golden brown. While still hot, glaze with honey.

See also this recipe for Judas Rope. (Images from radio.cz and babinet.cz ) Pin It