Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Nucatoli or Mucatoli: Traditional Sicilian Christmas Almond and Honey Biscuits
Uncover the classic recipe for nucatoli, beloved festive treats from Ragusa and Siracusa, crafted with honey, almonds, and pistachios.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500g plain flour
- ✓ 150g lard
- ✓ 150g caster sugar
- ✓ water, as needed
- ✓ 500g peeled almonds
- ✓ 100g shelled pistachios
- ✓ 400g honey
- ✓ zest of 1 lemon
- ✓ semolina flour, as needed
- ✓ ground cinnamon, to taste
- ✓ 2 egg whites
- ✓ 250g icing sugar
📊 Nutritional Information
Nucatoli, also known as mucatoli, are quintessential Sicilian Christmas biscuits from the provinces of Ragusa and Siracusa. Made with honey, almonds and pistachios tucked inside a golden pastry shell, they're one of the oldest delights in Sicilian baking. Every bite is bursting with zesty citrus, sweet honey and a whisper of warming cinnamon, evoking the enchanting spirit of a Sicilian Christmas.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Begin by mixing the plain flour with the lard, caster sugar and enough water to form a smooth, firm dough. Cover and leave to rest for 30 minutes.
- 2
Finely chop the almonds and pistachios, then add them to a pan with the honey and a glass of water, gently warming to combine.
- 3
Stir in the grated lemon zest and a pinch of cinnamon, gradually incorporating semolina flour until the mixture is soft. Allow to cool slightly.
- 4
Roll out the dough into thin sheets and cut into small discs. Spoon the honey and nut filling onto each disc and fold over into half-moons, sealing the edges well with a little water.
- 5
Arrange the nucatoli on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake at 200°C for around 25 minutes until golden.
- 6
Allow to cool, then dust with icing sugar if you like.
💡 Tips and Variations
For extra flavour, add some candied orange peel or a pinch of ground cloves into the filling. Some versions include a splash of Marsala wine to scent the dough beautifully.
📦 Storage
- • Store the nucatoli in a tin or airtight container for up to 15 days.
- • They can also be frozen before baking and cooked straight from frozen when you're ready.
🍷 Pairing
Serve the nucatoli with a glass of Marsala Superiore Riserva Rubino Semisecco, a sweet, aromatic dessert wine that's simply perfect for Christmas treats.
Give these lovely Sicilian Christmas biscuits a go – their rich, nutty sweetness and honeyed warmth are sure to bring a little Mediterranean magic to your festive table. They’re wonderful for sharing, so do bake a batch and spread the cheer with family and friends. Trust me, once you’ve tried nucatoli, they’ll become a much-loved tradition in your own kitchen too!
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