Fill half of the pot with oil and heat to 375°F (180°C). Working in batches, add some dough pieces to a metal strainer and lower into the oil. {module 349} Some consider Struffoli to be a cookie while others describe it as just dough fritters. Form the flour into a small volcano shape and break the eggs into the center, one at a time. These Italian honey balls (aka Cicerchiata) are then drenched in citrus-scented warm honey and decorated with sprinkles. 200 g … Mix together in a large bowl 2-1/2 cups of the flour. There are a variety of different ways struffoli can be garnished and presented once coated in honey. Some consider Struffoli … HONEY PIGNOLATA RECIPE. What Italian doesn’t love struffoli!? Add more flour in half cup measurements till you have a nice rollable dough. THX! Struffoli is a traditional Neapolitan dish consisting of deep-fried balls of dough. Even though Mama Z isn’t Sicilian, we let her in on the fun and she loves Italian honey balls like the rest of us. They are also coated in honey to make them even more delicious. Lightly dust the dough balls with flour. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Watch the video below to learn how to make this delicious Italian treat! In another bowl, whisk together eggs, oil and vanilla extract. The perfect addition to your platter of Italian Christmas cookies! The recipe can change from household to household, but it must always contain aubergines, pine nuts, raisins and plenty of vinegar. Struffoli is a mound of tiny fried dough balls, dipped in honey . Remove and put the fried balls in a bowl (with paper towel on bottom) large enough to hold all the struffoli. To add an incredible southern Italian citrus flavour to this sweet recipe, add lemon zest from both a lemon and an orange – at least ½ based on medium sized fruit. Struffoli, a classic Christmas Italian dessert, are made of deep-fried little dough balls, very aromatic due to the orange and lemon zest and limoncello then coated in honey and topped with sprinkles and candied fruit.. Based on a traditional Neapolitan recipe found on TavolArteGusto Thank you for sharing Anthony, would love to try your recipe! The recipe is very good I had to double all the ingredients to make two plates. Cook the mixture under medium heat. You doubt this? I have almost the same recipe from my great grandma. Not only are they good to eat, but they also make a very festive centerpiece for a holiday dessert table. Many international chefs have certainly mentioned that often enough. To make your struffoli, add 250g (1.66 cups) plain flour to a mixing bowl followed by 2 tablespoons of sugar and two eggs. Ingredients. Hey, welcome back. Its history dates back to the 8th century when the Greeks colonized the southern Italian peninsula. Whether you are looking for recipes to give as hostess gifts, planning a cookie exchange, or simply baking for family and friends, these Italian Christmas cookie recipes are just perfect for sharing.. I’ve decided to share 13 of … Instead of being shaped as balls, however, they are shaped as dumplings. Then covered in honey followed chopped nuts (in our family the addition of chocolate sprinkles). 500 g unbleached flour. Melt the butter or margarine over low heat. Mix dough ingredients well. HONEY PIGNOLATA RECIPE. It should take around two to three minutes per batch. To add an incredible southern Italian citrus flavour to this sweet recipe, add lemon zest from both a lemon and an orange – at least ½ based on medium sized fruit. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Working in batches, dip struffoli in honey sauce until well coated, and transfer to a sieve set over a bowl to drain; reserve honey sauce. Struffoli are deep fried, honey drenched little morsels from Naples and are a typical Christmas time treat. 1/2 cup-sugar. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. And the number of Italian restaurants you can find in every major city is a glaring testimony to that. We ave assembled a collection of Struffoli Recipes as are prepared prepared by our Italian grandmothers from the different parts of Italy following old traditions passed on for many generations. Want to take a whack at making some yummy honey balls? Enjoy our Sicilian Recipes! DIRECTIONS. After they have sat over night they will need a good stir as the honey sets to the bottom. it’s good for dessert. Struffoli (or Pignolata) are a kind of honey balls … Cover the dough with a saran wrap and keep in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Combine honey, lemon juice, rum (or brandy), and sugar in a saucepan. One such amazing authentic Italian sweet treat is the Struffoli, a Christmas dessert typical of the Campania region. Don’t you agree? The Sicilian cuisine has a long tradition for being full of flavors which were brought to Sicily by the many people that crossed this beautiful land: Spanish, Arabs, Africans, etc. Another version of struffoli is the “porceddhuzzi”, which is typical of the Calabria region. Nonnabox.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Pouring the flour, pinch the dough with your fingers until the liquid will be absorbed by the flour, creating a sort of pastry crumbs. Working with one half at a time, roll the dough into a ¼ -inch-thick rectangle. After the first batch of pignolata are fried, you may have lower the heat down to medium as they will brown quickly and may not be thoroughly cooked in the center. Struffoli is so delicious because it is crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. 2 tsp.-grated lemon zest. Combine honey, lemon juice, rum (or brandy), and sugar in a saucepan. The cicerchiata is another typical Umbrian recipe. The mixture should resemble a coarse meal. In a large saucepan, combine the honey ant the 1/2 cup sugar and heat over low heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved; keep warm over low heat. Put as much as you prefer. In a medium pot add 2-3 inches of oil and heat to 350°F add the struffoli (in batches) turning a couple of times and when golden drain on a paper towel lined plate and let cool. Advertisement. Prepare a plate lined with paper towel. Like many other traditional Italian dish, the authentic struffoli recipe has similarities with other desserts in other parts of the country. This may seem like it will take a long time but it goes very quickly as I enlist my whole family to take part. The Sicilian cuisine has a long tradition for being full of flavors which were brought to Sicily by the many people that crossed this beautiful land: Spanish, Arabs, Africans, etc. Sicilian Pignolata -Italian Honey Ball Tips. Cut dough into 1/4 strips and roll thin (thinner than a pencil). Cooking authentic Italian food is easy, fun and delicious! Yes, makes enough for the entire family to take home! To make your struffoli, add 250g (1.66 cups) plain flour to a mixing bowl followed by 2 tablespoons of sugar and two eggs. In Naples, this is traditionally a Christmas dessert, but in the rest of Italy, these delicious honey … Although, you can totally adjust the honey mixture and toppings according to your preference. In addition to that, the traditional struffoli recipe also calls for a Neapolitan anise liquor. Cut the dough into portions of about half an inch and roll each into small balls. Sprinkle with walnuts and in our family's case chocolate sprinkles. Pignolata or pignoccata is an ancient Sicilian dessert, typical of Sicily, but it is easy to find it throughout southern Italy during Christmas time or Carnival. And without doubts the answer is STRUFFOLI! Buon Natale! Serve these during special family get-togethers, birthdays, or just whenever you’re craving for these sweet stuff. The recipe is simple of struffoli. To make the dough —. Not waiting too long, pour in the fried dough pieces and mix together so that the syrup is evenly distributed. ... Arancini di Riso - Sicilian Rice Croquettes. I use one with a lid as they should be covered when stored. Cover with plastic wrap; let stand for 30 minutes. Enjoy the traditional Sicilian Cuisine of our Nonne! It must be bubbling vigourously. Some of these Italian dishes are new takes on old traditional family gourmet recipes. I’m making a lot of this again this coming holiday season. Glad it turned out great for you! Put the Crisco and sugar in bowl of mixer. Melt the shortening and add the warm milk, set aside. Been using a similar, but more ample, recipe handed down from my parents for the last 40 years—except ours use anisette instead of rum (and probably more since it goes into the dough as well as the honey!). Typically, it is  assembled, one on top of the other, like a dome or pyramid on a plate. Cut off pieces of rolls making tiny pieces (smaller than peas). ... As a child, growing up a Sicilian, in New York, the aromas of this fine cooking permeating my home were an everyday occurrence. Anyway, Struffoli is one of those “new to me” desserts that I am going to share … I used spiced rum in the dough and in the liquefied honey. Divide the dough and with a floured counter top and hands roll into long ropes between 1/4"-1/2" thick and then cut ropes with a bread knife into about 1/4" balls. Other traditional Italian dessert recipes: Are ingredients measured ALL in Tablespoons? Yay! The dish is typically … In another bowl, whisk together eggs, oil and vanilla extract. There are quite a number of struffoli recipes floating on the web today. STRUFFOLI DOUGH. Cook the mixture under … 2 tsp.-grated orange zest. Struffoli are deep-fried balls of dough that are hard on the outside, and slightly soft on the inside, and perfect for serving for dessert. Ingredients. It is usually served during special occasions or festivities. Deep fry in oil. Once it’s done, turn off the heat and add the fried dough balls carefully into the mixture. But for the rest of Italy, it is prepared and available during most festivities, especially religious holidays. Similar to the struffoli of Naples, it differs from them as for its shape, like small pine cones. In another pan over low heat melt the acacia honey, stirring constantly. Meanwhile, line a serving plate with paper towels. Next, cover the dough balls immediately with sprinkles, confectioner’s sugar, or any other edible decorations on top. An important baking tip for making struffoli… Once the dough balls are done, place them on the plate and let the paper towels absorb the excess oil. Mix the flour, lemon and orange zest, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Keep track of the temperature using a thermometer. Using a knife or a bench scraper, cut the rope into 1-cm pieces and roll each piece into a ball (no larger than the size of a chickpea). Blend until the dough becomes something that resembles a big ball. Add sugar, baking powder, lemon rind and salt. Fry the struffoli a few handfuls at a time, until puffed up and golden brown. Remove the paper towel once all struffoli are done. Take off heat and add the struffoli. 500 g unbleached flour. Served at room temperature, usually as an antipasto, the fried aubergine is turned into a stew with celery, onion and tomatoes , before being flavoured with capers , … Thank you for sharing this authentic struffoli recipe…. Beat till blended. It’s no wonder then why it is a crowd favorite. Another possible influence on this popular holiday pastry is the Spanish piñonate. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. This recipe is traditional to the Campania region of Italy and it is usually made during Christmas. Mound struffoli on a platter, pour remaining and reserved honey sauce over … Next, roll the dough into thick cords of about a quarter of inch thick. Using a mixer, place eggs, sugar, salt, and whisky in a large bowl and mix for two minutes or so (if making by hand, combine the ingredients, and stir well with a wooden spoon.) 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