Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15th. The holiday dates back to 18 BC. It was started by emperor Augustus to celebrate the harvest and the end of the growing season. It kicks off a rest period for the remainder of August.
In present day Italy, you will find many shops closed and many people will spend several weeks in August on vacation.
This year, I celebrated Ferragosto on the coast of Belgium.
I spent a month along the Belgian coast in Nieuwpoort. It was very relaxing! Although the weather was a little too cool to go swimming, I took walks along the beach almost every day.
I also got to spend a lot of time doing one of my favorite things … trying new foods.
Here are the 5 best things I ate along the coast in Nieuwpoort, Belgium:
1. Appelkoek ~ Madie’s Boerenbrood
One of the best bakeries I’ve ever come across was right around the corner from my apartment. If you’re ever in Nieuwpoort, let your nose lead the way, follow the locals and stand in line, then pick up some of the best pastries and breads from Madie’s.
I loved their appelkoek. It has a delicious, moist yellow butter cake topped with finely sliced cooked apples. At only €1.15 a slice, you’ll have to restrain yourself from ordering half the pan.
Tip: Their pain au chocolat are also divine. They’re topped with a thin strip of sugary chocolate glaze, and they rival any I had in Paris.
2. Tomaat garnaal ~ Brasserie Nieuwpoort
This is one of the specialty dishes along the Belgian coast. It’s a salad of stuffed tomato and grey shrimp. You can find this traditional dish at many restaurants, but I enjoyed this one out on the terrace at Brasserie Nieuwpoort.
3. Pannekoeken ~ Dries Pannekoeken
Pannekoeken are Dutch pancakes. They are a cross between an American pancake and a French crepe. I saw them being prepared fresh at the weekly Friday market held in the town square from one of the coolest (and largest) food trucks I’ve ever seen, and I couldn’t resist their sweet smell as they cooked on the griddle. I had two warm right off the griddle. They were topped with powdered sugar and rolled up for easy eating while walking around the market. I also saw many locals buying them by the kilo to take home. Fresh with sugar is 2 for €2.
4. Chocolate cake ~ Bakkerij Het Kramiekske
This cake was amazingly delicious! Layers of chocolate cake with chocolate filling and cream filling, then topped with a thick layer of chocolate ganache. Ah-mazing! The even more amazing thing … this large piece of cake is under €3.
Tip: Kramiekske also has great croissants at breakfast time.
5. Ice cream ~ St. Catherine
What’s summer at the beach without ice cream? In the evenings, you can find locals and visitors alike lined up outside St. Catherine’s to get a scoop or two. I opted for pralines and cream and, of course, chocolate. Scoops are €1.50 each, and you can choose to have it served on a cone or in a cup.