Part 3/10:

This recipe reflects the Sephardic Jewish tradition, emphasizing its connection to a community that flourished for centuries, only to face adversity amid religious shifts. The preparation of adafina during the Inquisition speaks volumes about the intersections of food, faith, and identity.

Cultural Context: The Jewish Community and the Inquisition

The narrative surrounding adafina cannot be detached from the broader context of the Spanish Inquisition. Following centuries of relative peace with the Jewish population, the summer of 1391 marked a significant change with horrific violence and forced conversions, leading to the rise of a group known as Conversos—those who converted to Catholicism, whether willingly or under duress.