Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Maria Stuarda: Traditional Sicilian Pastries with Courgette Jam
Discover the delightful Maria Stuarda, unique Sicilian treats filled with fragrant courgette jam. Perfect for any occasion!
📖 What is it
Discover the delightful Maria Stuarda, unique Sicilian treats filled with fragrant courgette jam. Perfect for any occasion!
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500g plain flour
- ✓ 200g lard
- ✓ 800g caster sugar
- ✓ 1 egg
- ✓ 50ml milk
- ✓ Half a sachet of vanilla sugar
- ✓ 5g baking ammonia
- ✓ A pinch of salt
- ✓ 1kg long green courgettes (serpent courgettes)
- ✓ Juice of half a lemon
- ✓ Icing sugar, to dust
📊 Nutritional Information
Let yourself be whisked away by the authentic scents of Sicily with Maria Stuarda, traditional pastries that tell tales of old family kitchens. These crumbly, buttery biscuits hide a sweet and delicate heart of serpent courgette jam—a wonderfully unique and subtly aromatic ingredient. Ideal for an afternoon tea or to add a special touch to your celebrations, these treats invite you to rediscover the genuine sweetness of Sicilian baking.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Begin by sifting the flour onto your work surface. Add the sugar, baking ammonia, salt, vanilla sugar, chopped lard, and the egg. Mix in the milk gradually until you form a smooth dough.
- 2
Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film, and pop it in the fridge to rest for at least 30 minutes.
- 3
For the courgette jam, trim and chop the courgettes, removing the seeds.
- 4
Boil the courgettes in water until tender, then drain and leave them to drain thoroughly for at least 8 hours.
- 5
After draining, cook the courgettes in a pan with the lemon juice and 600g sugar per kilo of drained courgettes, stirring frequently.
- 6
Once the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan, remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- 7
Roll out the pastry and cut out rounds to line buttered and floured tart tins. Spoon a tablespoon of courgette jam onto each base.
- 8
Decorate the pastries with strips of pastry to create a traditional lattice pattern.
- 9
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 45 minutes, until golden.
- 10
Allow the Maria Stuarda to cool to room temperature before dusting generously with icing sugar.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a richer aroma, add a pinch of cinnamon to the courgette jam before using.
- •
Try an autumnal twist by swapping the courgette jam for pumpkin jam for a warmer flavour.
- •
Use different shaped tins to personalise your pastries and make the presentation more eye-catching.
- •
The hallmark of this recipe is the gentle sweetness from the courgette jam, which you can adjust to suit your taste.
- •
For a vegan version, use a dairy-free pastry and ensure the jam contains no animal-derived additives.
- •
To enhance the umami notes, try adding a little grated lemon zest to the jam for a fresh, complex flavour.
- •
The secret to these pastries lies in the slow, gentle baking that keeps the pastry crisp without burning.
📦 Storage
- • Store the pastries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days to keep them fresh and fragrant.
- • For longer storage, freeze once cooled, wrapping each pastry individually to prevent sticking; they keep well for up to a month.
- • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for about five minutes before serving to restore their crispness and fresh-baked aroma.
🍷 Pairing
To truly bring out the flavours of Maria Stuarda, serve with a chilled Marsala Vergine or a dry Soleras Ambra at 8-10°C, which beautifully complement the sweetness and aromatic notes. Alternatively, a Passito from Pantelleria offers a luscious, sweet pairing. If you prefer something beyond Sicily, a Tuscan Vin Santo also pairs wonderfully with these pastries.
Making Maria Stuarda is like stepping into a slice of Sicilian heritage, a heartfelt gesture that brings together flavours, aromas, and cherished family memories. I warmly encourage you to give this recipe a go, to bring a taste of our beautiful island to your table, and to share these lovely treats with friends and family. Don’t forget to spread the joy by sharing this recipe—after all, good food is best enjoyed together!
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