Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Messina Dinner Rolls: A Slice of Sicilian Easter Tradition
Discover these soft, fragrant Messina dinner rolls—a beloved Sicilian Easter classic bursting with warming spice and a generous sesame seed crust.
📖 What is it
Discover these soft, fragrant Messina dinner rolls—a beloved Sicilian Easter classic bursting with warming spice and a generous sesame seed crust.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 250g plain flour
- ✓ 250g strong white bread flour
- ✓ 50g caster sugar
- ✓ 100g lard
- ✓ 250ml lukewarm water
- ✓ 2 eggs
- ✓ 25g fresh yeast
- ✓ 4 drops clove essence
- ✓ a pinch of ground cinnamon
- ✓ 10g salt
- ✓ 2 tablespoons milk
- ✓ 50g sesame seeds (giuggiulena)
📊 Nutritional Information
Step into the heart of Eastern Sicily’s Easter celebrations with these delightful Messina dinner rolls. These little pockets of fluffy goodness are infused with aromatic spices and topped with a crunchy sesame seed crust, evoking the cosy, vibrant traditions of springtime in Messina.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Sift the flours together and pile them into a mound on your work surface, making a well in the centre.
- 2
Dissolve the fresh yeast and a spoonful of sugar in a little lukewarm water, then pour into the middle of the flour well.
- 3
Add the softened lard, clove essence, cinnamon, salt, and one egg.
- 4
Begin to mix, gradually incorporating the water, until you have a soft, smooth dough.
- 5
Shape into a ball, cover with a clean tea towel, and leave to prove in a warm spot for about an hour.
- 6
Once risen, roll the dough into a log and divide into portions of roughly 80g each. Shape each into a round roll and leave to prove again for another 30 minutes.
- 7
Beat the remaining egg with the milk and brush over the rolls. Generously scatter the sesame seeds on top.
- 8
Place the rolls on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and bake in a preheated oven at 220°C (fan 200°C) for about 15 minutes until golden brown.
- 9
Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For added richness, try grating the zest of a Sicilian orange into the dough for a fresh, citrusy lift.
- •
If you prefer a sweeter touch, stir in a teaspoon of honey to make the rolls softer and more aromatic.
- •
To enhance the glossy crust, brush the rolls with a mixture of egg yolk and a pinch of sugar just before baking.
- •
The defining feature is the spice blend—clove essence and cinnamon create a warm, comforting flavour unique to these rolls.
- •
For a lighter version, reduce the sugar or swap the lard for extra virgin olive oil to give it a Mediterranean twist.
- •
Make sure to mix all the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding liquids for even proving and a supple dough.
- •
For deeper flavour, allow the dough to prove slowly in the fridge for 8–10 hours.
- •
To make a vegan version, replace eggs with a flaxseed 'egg' (ground flaxseed mixed with water) and use sunflower oil instead of lard.
- •
The magic lies in proving well and baking at a high temperature, which creates the characteristic soft crumb and fragrant crust true to tradition.
📦 Storage
- • Keep the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature to preserve their freshness for 2–3 days.
- • To extend their life, wrap each roll individually in cling film and chill for up to a week.
- • For longer storage, freeze the rolls individually; thaw at room temperature and refresh in a hot oven to restore their crispness.
🍷 Pairing
Messina dinner rolls pair beautifully with a glass of Sicilian Grillo—a dry, crisp white that cleanses the palate and complements the spices.
Alternatively, an Etna white wine, with its lovely minerality, enhances the sesame-crusted exterior perfectly.
For something different, a slightly aromatic German Riesling offers a delightful contrast and balances the flavours superbly.
These warm, spiced Messina dinner rolls bring a slice of Sicilian Easter right to your kitchen. They’re perfect for sharing with loved ones, whether at a springtime gathering or a cosy weekend brunch. Give them a go—you’ll soon see why they’re a cherished family favourite, full of soul and tradition. Don’t forget to pass them around and enjoy the smiles they inspire!
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