The Sfincione Giuliana-Style is a typical dessert from the Sicani Mountains, an authentic delight that combines a soft dough with a rich ricotta and chocolate cream. A perfect treat to celebrate the traditions of Sicilian pastry art.
The origin of Sfincione Giuliana-Style is fascinating and is imbued with generosity and creativity. Its history is rooted in an ancient “Opera Pia” located in Giuliana (yes, that’s not only a feminine name but also a name of a beautiful, tiny village in Sicily), where elderly people and orphans used to live.
An “Opera Pia” is a charitable institution that takes on the task of “providing assistance to the poor, both in times of health and illness, providing education, instruction, vocational training, or in any other way promoting moral and economic improvement”.
It was a nun, inspired to bring joy and comfort to these residents, who created this unique dessert.
Using simple and readily available ingredients such as flour, eggs, and sheep ricotta, this nun invented this Sfincione as a gift for those living in the “Opera Pia“.
The dessert quickly became a tradition, delighting the festivities and daily lives of the residents, spreading far beyond the institution’s walls.
But how is this delicious sfincione made?
Sfincione Giuliana-Style consists of two main elements that make it irresistible, in particular:
The soft and fragrant dough: The base of Sfincione is made from dough prepared with type 00 flour, water, eggs, butter, and a pinch of baking soda. These ingredients are kneaded together to create a creamy and dense dough that is fried until golden and fragrant. The fried dough lends a soft and delicate texture to the dessert.
The ricotta cream: The heart of this Sfincione is its delicious ricotta cream. Sheep ricotta is first drained and then sifted and combined with sugar, powdered cinnamon, and dark chocolate chips.
This typical Sicilian pastry cream is a symphony of flavors, ranging from the creamy sweetness of ricotta to the warm depth of cinnamon and the tempting allure of dark chocolate. The cream is generously filled inside the Sfincione.
Have we piqued your curiosity enough? Let’s get to work, then, and enjoy this delightful Sicilian treat that combines history, tradition, and a rich culinary legacy.
Yields and Prep Times
- Serves: 8 people
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1h 20m
Nutritional values per serving of Sfincione Giuliana-Style
- Calories: 400-450 kcal
- Proteins: 10-12 g
- Fats: 18-20 g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60 g
- Sugar: 30-35 g
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 250 g of all-purpose flour
- 250 g of water
- 5 eggs
- 50 g of butter
- 5 g of salt
- a pinch of baking soda
- sunflower oil for frying
For the ricotta cream:
- 750 g of sheep’s milk ricotta
- 250 g of sugar
- 50 g of ground cinnamon
- 150 g of dark chocolate chips
Directions
- Preparation of the ricotta cream: First, take the sheep’s milk ricotta and let it drain in a fine-mesh sieve. Then, place it in the fridge until it has lost its excess whey. Once ready, sieve it and transfer it to a bowl. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly to blend into a sweet and well-balanced cream. Set it aside while you prepare the dough.
- Dough preparation: Now, let’s move on to preparing the dough. Start by melting the butter in a pan along with the water and bring it to a boil. Gradually add the flour and continue stirring carefully for about 10 minutes until the mixture takes on a wax-like color and pulls away from the pan.
- Creating the basic dough: Once you’ve reached the right consistency, transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it cool slightly. After this step, you can begin incorporating the eggs, one at a time. Keep mixing until you get a smooth, creamy, and dense dough. Don’t forget to add the baking soda and knead the dough by hand to ensure all the ingredients blend perfectly.
- Frying the Sfincione: Now it’s time to prepare the Sfincione. Heat plenty of sunflower oil in a frying pan. Pour the dough in small portions, about 3-4 tablespoons at a time. Make sure to turn each sfincione during cooking so that they become golden and puffy. This is the moment when they should acquire an inviting color and an irresistible aroma.
- Drying and filling: Once all the Sfincione are cooked, place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil. When they are ready, take a tray and arrange them carefully. Now, it’s time to fill them with the delicious ricotta cream you prepared initially. Make sure to generously fill the inside, then serve Sfincione Giuliana-Style and enjoy.
Wine Pairing
To complete the taste experience of Sfincione Giuliana-Style, we recommend pairing it with the delightful Moscato di Pantelleria Naturale. This wine is the perfect choice to accompany this Sicilian dessert due to its unique characteristics. Here’s why:
Color and appearance: Moscato di Pantelleria Naturale boasts hues ranging from golden yellow to amber, reminiscent of the warm and inviting tones of freshly baked Sfincione, creating a visually appealing pairing.
Fragrant aroma: This wine exudes a fragrant aroma with aromatic and floral notes. These fragrances beautifully complement the sweetness and cinnamon in the ricotta cream of sfincione, promising an extraordinary olfactory experience.
Aromatic and sweet flavor: Moscato di Pantelleria Naturale is known for its typical and sweet aromatic flavor. This flavor harmonizes perfectly with the richness and sweetness of sfincione. The combination of these flavors intensifies the pleasure of both, creating a delightful blend.
Serving temperature: To fully enjoy the fragrant aroma of Moscato di Pantelleria Naturale, we recommend serving it at a temperature of around 8-10°C (50°F). This cooler temperature pleasantly contrasts with the sweetness and creaminess of Sfincione, offering a balance between freshness and sweetness.
How to Store Sfincione Giuliana-Style
- Refrigeration: After preparation, it’s advisable to store the sfincioni in the refrigerator. Transfer the sfincioni to an airtight container with a lid to keep them fresh. Ensure the lid is tightly sealed to prevent contamination from external odors and to maintain the freshness of the dessert.
- Storage duration: Sfincione Giuliana-Style can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3-4 days. However, to fully enjoy their taste and texture, it’s recommended to consume them within the first two days after preparation.
- Freezing: Sfincione Giuliana-Style can be successfully frozen. If you wish to store them for a longer period, you can freeze them in an airtight container. Make sure to separate the layers of sfincioni with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. When you want to consume them, gradually thaw them in the refrigerator.
Your culinary adventure with Ricette di Sicilia: Sfincione Giuliana-Style
In conclusion, Sfincione Giuliana-Style is much more than just a dessert. It’s a lesson in Sicilian culinary history and tradition, a gift from the past that continues to delight today’s palates. This delicacy is an ode to the simplicity of high-quality ingredients and the creativity of Sicilian grandmothers.
Preparing Sfincione Giuliana-Style is an act of love for traditional cuisine, a journey through time that takes us back to the roots of Sicilian traditions. Its combination of soft dough and rich ricotta cream is a warm and welcoming hug that envelops us in a world of authentic flavors.
So, we invite you to try this recipe, to share the taste and history behind every bite of Sfincione Giuliana-Style. Bring a piece of Sicily into your kitchen and create sweet memories with your family and friends.
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