Delights from the Mountains of Sicily: Gratteri-Style Fritter

Gratteri-Style Fritter (“vasteḍḍa“) is a typical delicacy from Gratteri, a small village in the Madonie region, in the province of Palermo.
Every year, this quaint Madonie village is filled with joy and colors to celebrate a festival dedicated to these fritters (“Sagra della vasteḍḍa fritta”)
Gratteri-Style Fritter can be produced in two versions, sweet and salty, with roots that trace back to ancient times.
The essential ingredients include flour, yeast, and extra virgin olive oil.
Gratteri-Style Fritter takes the form of rectangular pieces of dough, and in the salty version, each piece contains a previously desalted anchovy, folded in half and then fried.
Let’s see how to prepare these delicious fritters.

Yields and Prep Times

• Serves: 8 people
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour

Nutritional values per serving of Gratteri-Style Fritter

• Calories: 150-200 kcal
• Proteins: 3-5 g
• Fat: 5-8 g
• Carbohydrates: 20-30 g
• Fiber: 1-2 g

Ingredients

• 1 kg of semolina flour
• 1 and a half sachets of yeast
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for the dough
• Warm water
• Extra virgin olive oil for frying

Directions

1. Melt the yeast in a little water and add it to the flour along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Knead well until you get a homogeneous mixture.
2. Cover the dough and let it rest for half an hour.
3. Once the dough has risen, shape it into rectangles of dough.
4. Place anchovy fillets on one side of the rectangles, then fold the dough to seal the anchovy inside.
5. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a pot and fry the dough rectangles until they are golden and crispy.
6. If you prefer the sweet version, after frying, coat the “vastedda” in sugar without filling them with anchovies.

Wine Pairing

This delicacy, with its rich and enveloping flavor, finds its perfect companion in Nero d’Avola, an authentic Sicilian oenological gem.
The intense character of Nero d’Avola blends magnificently with the golden crispiness of Gratteri-Style Fritter creating a unique sensory experience.
The fruity tones and spicy nuances of this red wine harmonize with the depth of flavors in the fritter, enhancing the enjoyment of each bite.
Enveloping scents of ripe cherries and hints of licorice in Nero d’Avola beautifully enhance the sweetness of the dough and the delicacy of the anchovies inside the fritter.
Each sip of wine emphasizes the authentic taste of this traditional dish, while its structured body and balanced acidity provide a pleasant contrast to the fried and savory flavor.

How To Store Gratteri-Style Fritter

Gratteri-Style Fritter is a delicacy best enjoyed fresh and crispy right after frying. However, if you wish to store it for a short period or enjoy it later, it’s important to follow some guidelines to maintain its freshness and flavor:

1. Cooling: After frying, allow the fritters to cool completely at room temperature. This will help prevent condensation from forming inside the storage container, which could make them soggy.
2. Airtight container: Transfer the fritters to an airtight container or a sealable food bag. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from entering, thus preserving their crispiness.
3. Room temperature storage: Gratteri-Style Fritters can be stored at room temperature for a short period, preferably not exceeding 24-48 hours. However, keep in mind that they may lose some of their crispiness over time.
4. Avoid the fridge: It’s not advisable to store the fritters in the fridge as moisture could make them soft and alter their crispy texture.
5. Swift consumption: To fully enjoy their texture and crispy flavor, it’s recommended to consume Gratteri-Style Fritter as soon as possible after frying.
6. Freezing: If you want to store them for a longer period, you can freeze the fritters. After frying, let them cool completely, then wrap the fritters in plastic wrap or sealable freezer bags and store them in the freezer. To enjoy, thaw and briefly reheat in a preheated oven to restore their crispiness.

Your culinary adventure with Ricette di Sicilia: Gratteri-Style Fritter

Embark on a culinary journey through the authentic flavors of Sicily with the delicious Gratteri-Style Fritter.
This traditional preparation, deeply rooted in the heart of the Madonie region, captures the essence of the island’s ancient gastronomic traditions.
Gratteri-Style Fritter is much more than a simple fritter: it is a testament to the passion and love that the homemakers of Gratteri dedicate to their culinary art.

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