In the Netherlands, every year, we celebrate ‘Sinterklaas’. A lot of people confuse this Dutch tradition with Christmas. Some people even think we celebrate Christmas earlier in the Netherlands, but Sinterklaas is very much separate from Christmas. Though there are similarities: It’s both in December, Sinterklaas en Santa Claus do look like each other a bit, it’s important you’ve been good all year, it’s also with presents and nice food and children love it. We celebrate Sinterklaas on the 5th of December, but as we officially welcome him to the Netherlands about 2 weeks before this date, there is something else we do. You can put your shoe in front of the fireplace, sing a song, leave some treats for his horse and write him a letter if you like. The next morning it’s swapped for a present. So exciting for children!

On the day itself a lot of people have a nice meal together and after that it’s time.. The presents are waiting at the door and somebody(a family member, friend or neighbour for example) will ring or knock the door really loud. Children will run to the door and of course there is nobody there. When the presents are all inside it’s time to open them and it’s just so much fun! A typical sweet what is given by his helpers, are ‘pepernoten’. It’s like little biscuits. They’re delicious! I thought it would be nice to give you a little recipe today for a ‘pepernoten milkshake’. Very simple, very yummy!

SINT TWIST

Serves 1

200 ml oat milk
1/4 cup pepernoten
1/2 banana
1/2 tbsp palm sugar

-Put all the ingredients in the blender and mix until smooth.
-Sprinkle a crushed pepernoot on top.
tip: you can get pepernoten in the Dutch shop ‘Hema’.

Did you know what Sinterklaas was already? Have you tried pepernoten before and are you going to give this recipe a go? Please let me know in the comments below or share a picture on Instagram using #PlanetManel. Thank you! X