Paparajotes

Paparajotes are sweet Spanish snack originating from Murcia. They consist of lemon tree leaves that are dipped in a batter consisting of milk, flour, eggs, and yeast, and then fried in olive oil and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. The lemon leaves should be young and large, just beginning to fill with the essential citrus oils. There are variations, so it's not uncommon to find anise and lemon zest in the batter as well. Once fried, the leaves are picked up by their stems, and the sugary, crispy batter is pulled off and enjoyed on its own because the leaves are only used to give a slight citrus tang to the batter. Paparajotes are typically available during the spring at local festivals and fairs. It's recommended to pair them with dessert wines, coffee, or herb liqueurs, while a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side is sometimes served as an accompaniment.