Do you know what “cartellate” are? They are a typical Christmas treat, very spread in the Southern regions of Italy. Their shape remembers a pinwheel, while their flavor is exquisite. Are you curious to taste them? Then armed with the right ingredients and apron and when you’re ready, we leave!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ³/₄ cup (180 ml) white wine;
• 3 cups (375 grams) flour;
• Honey or sugar;

Preparation:

1. Pour the olive oil and white wine into a saucepan;
2. When the olive oil and wine reach the temperature of 35° Celsius, pour in the center of the sifted flour contained in a bowl;
3. Work the dough until it becomes compact, then wrap it in a film and let it rest for about 30 minutes;
4. Release the dough from the film, divide it into middle parts and flatten each serving on the working surface;
5. Now spread out these pieces of the dough using either a pasta machine or a rolling pin;
6. Make rectangles ( about 1-1 1/2 inches thick and about a foot long), pinch the edges of the long side and roll the rectangles into a pinwheel. Remember to pay attention to the flaps, make them join, because the “cartellate” may break during the frying phase (look at me!)

7. Place the “cartellate” on the board or on another shelf, cover them with a clean cloth  and let them rest. Even for a whole night!

8. We are almost at the end! In a pan pour plenty of seeds oil and when the seeds oil reaches 170° Celsius, fry a few “cartellate” at time. Be Careful! It only takes 3/4 minutes on each side, after which you can remove the fried “cartellate” and place it on a rack;
9. With a teaspoon spread the honey on your “cartellate”. (If you don’t have honey or if you don’t like it, you can use icing sugar;

10. Now that you’ve arrived here, stop reading and start running to eat the “cartellate”, before the others finish them all! 😉

CURIOSITY:

• the recipe of “cartellate” is similar to that of the “chiacchiere” (that literally means “gossip”), a Carnival dessert. The “chiacchiere” are shaped like ribbons and are strictly with icing sugar;
• In some regions, “cartellate” are served with “vincotto”, a typical syrup that is made from cooked must of grapes;
• It’s also possible to bake them. The oven must have a temperature of 180° Celsius, and the cooking time is about 15 minutes;
• However, we beg you not to waste unnecessarily the “cartellate”, SO EAT IT FRIED.