Patequetas for Falles

March is the month that the festival, Falles, is held in Valencia, Spain to celebrate St. Joseph.  Isn't it funny that they hold Falles in the Spring? Paella is traditionally served at this celebration.  Patequetas are the rolls which are made to be eaten with it. This is the recipe: 

Ingredients for 5 large rolls

For the sponge:

• 1/3 C. water
• 1/3 cup  flour
•  2 teaspoons rapid rise yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• For the dough:

3 C. flour

• 1/2 C. water
• 1 ¾ teaspoon salt

Instructions

First make the sponge:

• In the bowl of your mixer, stir the yeast into the water. Add the flour and sugar and mix. Cover with plastic wrap.Place in the fridge for several days.

To make the dough for the rolls:

• Remove the sponge for the rolls from the fridge a couple hours before making the rolls.
• Mix the flour and the salt into the sponge and knead until you have a smooth ball.
• Divide the dough into 5 pieces and shape them into balls.  Let them rest covered with a towel for 30 minutes.
• Flatten each ball with your hand and cut one side halfway through with scissors. Separate the two sides slightly.
• Cover them again and let them rise for about 45 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
• Place the rolls on a parchment covered baking sheet.  Place a 9X11 pan on the bottom of your oven and fill it will boiling water.  Place the rolls in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until they start to turn golden.  Cool them on a rack.  These will be crisp on the outside and dense and chewy on the inside. 

I was in a hurry when I formed these so mine are not very pretty.

Mine looked much more rustic than they usually do.

This is the perfect roll to serve with a good bowl of soup.