The recipe for this Italian Christmas cookie has been a wonderful family tradition that has been handed down for many generations. This recipe comes from a little town called San Pietro Avellana.
There are a few variations to this wonderful treat but I am devoted to the one I have eaten every Christmas. While the young ones can't use the frying pan and the hot oil by themselves it was so much fun kneading, poking and rolling!
Honey-Dipped Turchinelli
Ingredients:
Dough:
- 1 quart water or milk
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup melted butter
- 2 packages of yeast
- 3 sifters of flour (about 18 cups)
- 1 package of raisins
Glaze:
- 2 cups honey
- 1 cup pf water
Preparation:
- First, prepare yeast by sprinkling 2 packages into 1/2 cup of warm water.
- Next, melt butter in large pan. Add water (or milk), eggs, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Stir in flour and raisins and mix well. When the dough is ready, knead until it is smooth and elastic to the touch. Place dough back in pan and set in warm place to rise. Put small amount of oil on top and cover with cloth so it won't dry out. Let dough rise until it is triple in size.
- When dough is ready cut into small pieces and roll into long snake-like strips. Place them curled up floating/frying in hot oil. Turn so each side is golden brown.
- For glaze put honey in a deep pan with water. Let it come to a boil so there is foam on top. Use tongs to dip each Turchinelli into the honey foam.
- Stack Turchinelli in desired container. Best when served warm but can be enjoyed anytime.
Grandma Morrelli's Helpful Hints
- Place the Turchinelli on brown paper bags to soak up excess oil.
- Always have an adult supervise children when cooking with hot oil or water.
- Knead dough by folding in half and using palms to press down and away from you. Repeat this until dough is elastic to the touch.
- Cut off about 3/4 cup of dough and roll into the shape of a 9 inch candle.
Turchinelli will always bring with it happy memories of Christmas past but it is also building memories for the future. As my five year old says, "Making Turchinelli is like making play dough...except we can eat it!" Making Turcchinelli is a fun filled family tradition that is sweet and delicious too!
Mary Moustakas - Working on Masters in Clinical Psyc. Have a son on the autism spectrum so, I hope to pursue a Ph.D in neuropsychology.
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