| Hey, welcome back. I have been researching more | | | | CHRISTMAS, this Holiest of all Seasons. |
| Italian Desserts and I am coming across some with | | | | STRUFFOLI RECIPE: |
| which I'm not familiar. The research is exciting and I'm | | | | - 2 cups flour |
| finding recipes that I plan to prepare. Anyway, | | | | - ½ teaspoon baking powder |
| Struffoli is one of those "new to me" desserts that I | | | | - 4 tablespoons sugar |
| am going to share with you. Wikipedia defines | | | | - 4 eggs |
| Struffoli as "a Neapolitan dish made of deep fried balls | | | | - 2 teaspoons vegetable oil |
| of dough about the size of marbles". These balls of | | | | - 1 teaspoon vinegar |
| dough are crunchy on the outside and light and airy | | | | - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract |
| on the inside. | | | | - 1 fluid ounce of whiskey (rye, bourbon, or Canadian |
| HISTORY OF THE "ROUND"... | | | | is fine but not Scotch) |
| Now for the history of these interesting little balls of | | | | - 3 cups honey (traditionally the Golden Blossom |
| dough, here is what I've gleaned from my research. | | | | brand has been used but if this is not available, then |
| The name Struffoli comes from the Greek | | | | use pure clover honey) |
| "strongulos" which means "round in shape". Okay, the | | | | - Oil or shortening for deep frying |
| name fits but how does that fit into the history part? | | | | - Multi-colored sprinkles (use the little round hard |
| Well, according to the Italian Trade Commission | | | | sprinkles instead of the softer, elongated ones used |
| website, Struffoli are round little donuts (without the | | | | on ice cream cones) |
| hole...or maybe IS the hole) that are drenched in | | | | - Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. |
| honey then covered with a sprinkling of cubed | | | | - To this dry mix, add the liquid ingredients except |
| candied fruit that has the appearance of confetti. | | | | the honey. |
| These must be pretty tiny "cubes of candied fruit" if | | | | - Mix liquid and dry ingredients together to form |
| the donut itself is only the size of a marble...and who | | | | dough. |
| gets the job of "cubing" something that small? Not a | | | | - Knead the dough until all ingredients are mixed |
| job I want; that's for sure! Anyway, I digress, so let's | | | | thoroughly together. |
| get back to the history of this cute little Italian | | | | - To make the dough balls, divide the dough into |
| Dessert. Struffoli apparently comes right from the | | | | smaller portions and roll each portion into a long strip |
| heart of Naples, Italy and where it has experienced | | | | approximately ¼ inch in diameter. |
| the influence of successive waves of Greek, Roman, | | | | - These strips should resemble pencils in diameter. |
| French, English and Spanish conquerors over the | | | | - Make angled cuts in the rolled strips of dough to |
| centuries. | | | | create smaller pieces, keeping in mind that the smaller |
| MY RESEARCH CONTINUES.... | | | | the pieces at this stage means the smaller the dough |
| It is touted to be "truly legendary" by the Italian | | | | balls will be when finished. |
| Trade Commission. Okay, so where is the legend? | | | | - You can roll the pieces into balls between the palms |
| Oops, sorry, I digress again. These tasty little morsels | | | | of your hands like tiny meatballs or you may leave |
| used to be prepared in convents by sisters of the | | | | them in the shape in which you have cut them. |
| various religious orders. They were distributed to the | | | | - This recipe makes a more decorative dessert so |
| noble families "as thanks for acts of charity". | | | | you might also like to roll some of the dough out and |
| Apparently, though the ingredients do not change, | | | | cut it into flat strips approximately ½ inch wide. |
| there are many variations that have been created | | | | - Using a pastry wheel cutter that has crimped edges |
| over the years. I guess I am missing something here | | | | adds a more decorative touch to the "ribbons". |
| but seems like there just HAS to be something | | | | - These strips will be the "ribbons" for our finished |
| romantic or exceptional about these little dough balls! | | | | product. With the flat strips, form loops and bows |
| I still don't see much legend here. | | | | with the dough. |
| MOVING ALONG... | | | | - You'll need to deep fry the "ribbons" and "bows" |
| Checking another source supports the preparation of | | | | separately from the dough balls as they will cook to |
| them by the nuns and it seems it was a Christmas | | | | the beautiful golden brown color more quickly since |
| kind of thing. They symbolized abundance and were | | | | they are not as thick. |
| given at Christmas as a "Thank you" to the | | | | - Deep fry all of the different shapes to a golden |
| aristocracy for charitable work. Well, now, we may | | | | brown. |
| be getting somewhere FINALLY...maybe this was the | | | | - Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain |
| origin of making sweet treats for Christmas to show | | | | on paper towels or other absorbent paper. |
| appreciation and friendship...huummm. | | | | - Heat honey in a deep pot until it begins to thin and |
| I also found that a similar version was made in Rome | | | | becomes pourable. |
| and is typically stuffed with candied fruit and chopped | | | | - Remove it from the heat. |
| almonds...again...just HOW do you STUFF something | | | | - Dip bows and ribbons in warmed honey and set |
| the size of a MARBLE? This is obviously done by | | | | them aside. |
| people with way more patience than me. These | | | | - Add balls to the honey and toss them gently to |
| desserts are called cicerchiata in Rome. The pictures I | | | | coat. |
| have found of both of these Italian Desserts are | | | | - Transfer balls to holiday platter and top with the |
| quite pretty. The Struffoli are stacked pyramid style | | | | ribbons and bows. |
| and they stick together because they are coated | | | | - Or you can mound the balls to look like a Christmas |
| with honey or caramel. The confetti cubes of candied | | | | tree and decorate with bows on the sides. |
| fruit are sprinkled over the whole stack, adding lovely | | | | - Sprinkle with multi colored sprinkles. Experiment with |
| color to this amazing little treat. And...each Italian | | | | different ways to "dress" up with pretty little Italian |
| family has a cherished and closely guarded secret | | | | Dessert. Come up with your own secret family recipe |
| recipe for this dessert that is pulled out each year | | | | that can be closely guarded and passed down |
| for the preparation of this Christmas delight. Then, it | | | | through your family. Start your own family tradition |
| is tucked away to be guarded until next year.... | | | | this Christmas Season. It'll be a wonderful legacy to |
| My research continued as I attempted to find a | | | | pass along to your children. And, most importantly, |
| recipe or a method for stuffing the tiny cicerchiata | | | | HAVE FUN WITH THIS! |
| balls. But alas! No recipe or method could be found | | | | And our next dessert topic will be Zeppole, since |
| for the "stuffing" part of this tiny Italian Dessert. | | | | we're in the donut neighborhood. Come join me for |
| So here is the basic Struffoli recipe that I found and | | | | another adventure into the Wonderful World of |
| liked the best. It seems decorative enough to scream | | | | Italian Desserts. |