Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Spicchiteḍḍi Eoliani: Sicilian Almond and Citrus Biscuits from the Aeolian Islands
Delight in spicchiteḍḍi, traditional almond biscuits from the Aeolian Islands, infused with cooked wine and bursting with Mediterranean aromas.
📖 What is it
Delight in spicchiteḍḍi, traditional almond biscuits from the Aeolian Islands, infused with cooked wine and bursting with Mediterranean aromas.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g plain flour
- ✓ 100 g peeled and toasted almonds
- ✓ 100 g caster sugar
- ✓ cooked wine, as needed
- ✓ 80 g lard
- ✓ 1 sachet baking powder
- ✓ 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ✓ zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
- ✓ zest of 1 orange, finely grated
- ✓ 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ✓ 3 ground cloves
📊 Nutritional Information
Step into the heart of Sicily with these spicchiteḍḍi — classic almond biscuits enriched with cooked wine, zesty citrus, and warming spices. Each bite tells a story of festive gatherings and age-old rural traditions from the enchanting Aeolian Islands.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Roughly chop the toasted almonds until you have a fine crumb.
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate, lard, citrus zests, cinnamon, and cloves.
- 3
Gradually add the cooked wine, mixing until you form a soft yet firm dough.
- 4
Shape the dough into sticks about 10-15 cm long and 2 cm thick, then gently twist them slightly.
- 5
Press one or two whole almonds onto the surface of each biscuit for decoration.
- 6
Place the biscuits on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake at 180°C for 10-15 minutes, until golden.
- 7
Allow to cool completely before serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a gentler flavour, swap the cooked wine for a local Marsala or Malvasia.
- •
Add a pinch of unsweetened cocoa powder to deepen the aroma and add a richer note.
- •
Use a silicone mould to achieve perfectly shaped biscuits and even baking.
- •
For a lighter version, reduce the sugar and replace some of the lard with mild extra virgin olive oil.
- •
The magic of these biscuits lies in the balance between spices and citrus, which beautifully enhance the natural sweetness of the almonds.
📦 Storage
- • Store the biscuits in a well-sealed tin to keep them fresh for up to 10 days.
- • Keep them in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture.
- • You can freeze the raw dough and bake fresh batches whenever you fancy.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy spicchiteḍḍi with a glass of Moscato di Noto, whose floral sweetness complements the biscuit’s citrus and spice notes. Alternatively, a Passito from Pantelleria or a sweet Sicilian Vermentino works beautifully. For a broader pairing, try a Tuscan Vin Santo or an aromatic Gewürztraminer.
Making spicchiteḍḍi at home is like inviting a little piece of Sicily’s soul into your kitchen — rich with tradition and bursting with flavour. I warmly encourage you to give this recipe a go, and share these charming biscuits with your loved ones. It’s a wonderful way to bring a touch of the Aeolian Islands to your teatime table.
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