The Churro is an invention of Spain. As with all great products there are competing stories claiming credit for improvising such a delightful pastry. In all ports of call made by the great Spanish explorers of the sixteenth century, the Churro became a local favorite. It was of such popularity that each country now claims authorship. But who can have the honor of making the first Churro?

     In the grasslands of Spain where shepherds tended their flocks they watched over a breed of sheep that provided high quality wool. These shepherds lived a nomadic life and were constantly moving with their sheep. As nomads, they carried only the essentials. Much of their needs came from the sheep. Bread was a special treat but how to prepare it? There were no microwave ovens or ovens of any type. They fried their bread.

     One day during the early years of the second millennia one of these shepherds sprinkled some sugar on the fried bread and that started the product improvement period. Over the ensuing years the shepherds fried bread became star shaped. This allowed the bread to become fully cooked on the inside while giving crispness to the outside. Filled Churros came later, much later.

     When Diego Velasquez sailed to Hispaniola in 1511 (present day Cuba) not only a young Hernando Cortez was on board. This excellent source of wool, milk and food were also getting their sea legs. Along with the men came their favorite pastry the Churro. But what was the name of those sheep?

They are Churro Sheep of Spain.

~Researched by Charlie Starr