Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Ova Murina from Sciacca: A Sweet Monastic Tradition
Discover the historic Ova Murina of Sciacca, a luscious almond and milk cream treat that embodies the heart of Sicilian convent baking.
📖 What is it
Discover the historic Ova Murina of Sciacca, a luscious almond and milk cream treat that embodies the heart of Sicilian convent baking.
🛒 Ingredients
▸ For the almond flour
- ✓ 80 g peeled almonds
▸ For the batter
- ✓ 3 eggs
- ✓ 180 g caster sugar
- ✓ 10 g cornflour
- ✓ 1 sachet vanilla sugar
- ✓ grated zest of 1 lemon
- ✓ 3 tablespoons grated dark chocolate
▸ For the milk cream
- ✓ 500 ml milk
- ✓ 80 g sugar
- ✓ 50 g cornflour
- ✓ lemon zest
- ✓ a pinch of cinnamon
▸ To finish
- ✓ butter for greasing the pan
- ✓ dark chocolate chips
📊 Nutritional Information
Step into the rich world of Sicilian patisserie with Ova Murina from Sciacca, a dessert steeped in centuries of history and devotion. Born within the walls of an ancient convent, this sweet combines the nutty warmth of almonds, the comforting depth of dark chocolate, and the silky smoothness of a delicate cream, offering an authentic and refined taste of our island’s heritage.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Make the almond flour by boiling the almonds for 1 minute, peeling them, toasting lightly, then grinding finely in a mortar or food processor.
- 2
In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar, then fold in the almond flour, cornflour, vanilla sugar, lemon zest, and grated chocolate. Stir until you have a smooth batter, similar to crepe batter.
- 3
Butter a frying pan, pour in a ladle of batter, and cook the pancakes until golden on both sides.
- 4
To prepare the cream, combine sugar, cornflour, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Gradually pour in the milk, add the lemon zest, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Set aside to cool.
- 5
Spread each pancake with a spoonful of the milk cream, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and roll up like a cannoli.
- 6
Arrange the Ova Murina on a serving plate and chill before serving. Dust with icing sugar or garnish with extra lemon zest if you like.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a richer twist, swap the milk cream for a soft ricotta cream studded with dark chocolate chips.
- •
Add a fresh citrus note by grating some orange zest into the batter or cream.
- •
For a bolder flavour, drizzle the pancakes with a splash of Sicilian sweet liqueur such as Marsala or Passito before rolling.
- •
To make a vegan version, use almond milk cream and choose dairy-free dark chocolate.
- •
The key to bringing out the best flavour is to keep the cream fresh and serve the Ova Murina well chilled, preserving their unique texture.
📦 Storage
- • Store the Ova Murina in the fridge, wrapped in cling film, to keep them soft and fresh for up to 2 days.
- • Serve chilled to fully enjoy the creamy filling and the delicate crispness of the pancake.
- • Avoid reheating to preserve the cream’s delicate texture and the dessert’s original charm.
🍷 Pairing
To complement the sweetness and aromas of Ova Murina, try a Sicilian sweet wine like Contea di Sclafani Bianco Dolce, whose velvety notes marry beautifully with almonds and cream. Alternatively, a Passito from Pantelleria or a Moscato di Noto offer equally elegant and enveloping pairings.
Making Ova Murina from Sciacca is like inviting a slice of Sicilian history to your table — a dessert that blends tradition, authentic flavours, and a touch of monastic magic. Treat yourself to this delicious journey and don’t forget to share the joy with your loved ones; it’s a timeless classic that’s sure to bring smiles all round.
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