Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Ammarrapanza - Sicilian Pastries with Dried Figs and Raisins
Learn how to make Ammarrapanza, traditional Sicilian pastries filled with dried figs and raisins - a rich, fragrant taste of the Mediterranean.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 1 kg plain flour
- ✓ 500 g caster sugar
- ✓ 150 g margarine
- ✓ 500 g dried figs, finely chopped
- ✓ 200 g raisins
- ✓ 100 ml dry white wine
- ✓ 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
- ✓ A pinch of salt
- ✓ A pinch of bicarbonate of soda
- ✓ 1 cup of water
📊 Nutritional Information
Ammarrapanza are wonderfully rustic Sicilian pastries, wrapped in a golden, fragrant dough and filled with a rich blend of dried figs and raisins. Their name - which playfully translates as “to weigh down the stomach” - is a cheeky nod to just how indulgent and satisfying they are.
These little pastries belong to the colder months, when dried fruit, warm aromas and hearty sweets take centre stage in Sicilian kitchens. The combination of figs, raisins and wine-scented dough feels deeply rooted in the island’s past, evoking harvests, winter gatherings and old family recipes passed down with pride.
Perfect for festive tables or as a traditional treat served with a glass of Marsala, Ammarrapanza offer a delicious reminder of Sicily’s generous, time-honoured approach to pastry-making.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Heat a cup of water with 50 g of sugar in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
- 2
Add the chopped figs and cook for 5 minutes, then add the raisins and cook for a further 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- 3
In a large bowl, mix the sifted flour with the remaining sugar, salt, margarine, olive oil, wine and bicarbonate of soda to form a smooth, soft dough.
- 4
Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut into rectangles about 10 × 5 cm.
- 5
Place a small amount of filling in the centre of each rectangle and roll to form small cylinders.
- 6
Arrange the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake in a preheated oven at 250°C for about 20 minutes, until golden.
- 7
Leave to cool, then serve the Ammarrapanza - optionally dusted with icing sugar.
💡 Tips and Variations
For extra aroma, add a pinch of cinnamon or a little lemon zest to the filling. In some local variations, the dried figs are replaced with chopped dates for an even sweeter finish.
📦 Storage
- • Store the pastries in an airtight container for 4–5 days in a cool, dry place.
- • They can also be frozen after baking.
- • Warm lightly before serving to revive their aroma.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy Ammarrapanza with a glass of Marsala Vergine - a dry, amber-coloured wine that balances the natural sweetness of the figs beautifully.
Ammarrapanza are one of Sicily’s most generous and characterful pastries. With their fragrant blend of dried fruit and wine, they tell the story of an older, heartfelt Sicily - warm, aromatic and rich in flavour.
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