Catholic Recipe: Saint Roch's Fingers

St. Roch, or Santo Roque or Rocco is also honored in Spain on August 16, and here is a special dessert dish made of custard and ladyfingers named for him. Why fingers? The ladyfingers look a little like a miniature bread loaf, like the bread that a dog brought to St. Roch every day until he was cured of his illness. And perhaps the fingers is a reminder of the reliquary of St. Roch's Finger.

His feast day is no longer on the General Roman Calendar.

DIRECTIONS

Beat the egg yolks slightly and add the sugar and salt. Pour in the scalded milk slowly, stirring all the while, and place over a slow fire. Cook until mixture begins to thicken but do not allow it to boil. (It is safer to use a double boiler.) Strain and, when cool, flavor with 1 tablespoon of brandy. Arrange ladyfingers on the bottom and around the sides of a glass serving dish, pour in the custard, and serve when thoroughly chilled.