Pizzella

Pizzella (plural: pizzelle) are traditional Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter or vegetable oil, and flavoring (usually anise or anisette, but also vanilla or lemon zest). Pizzelle can be hard and crisp or soft and chewy depending on the ingredients and method of preparation. They are typically made using a pizzelle iron, which resembles a small variant of the popular waffle iron.

History

The pizzella originated from the region of Abruzzo, located in south-central Italy. The name comes from the Italian word for "round" and "flat" (pizze), which is also the source of the words "pizza" and "pita". It is believed to have been developed in the mid 8th century.

Preparation

Pizzelle are made by combining eggs, sugar, butter or oil, flour, and flavorings into a batter. The batter is then cooked in a pizzelle iron, which imprints a snowflake pattern onto both sides of the thin golden-brown cookie. Traditional pizzelle are flavored with anise seeds or extract, but other flavors like vanilla, lemon, almond, or chocolate can also be used.

Variations

There are many variations of pizzelle. The traditional pizzelle cookie is flavored with anise, but they can also be flavored with vanilla, chocolate, lemon, or almond. Some variations include adding nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to the batter. In some regions, pizzelle are made using a black iron over a fire or a gas stove, while others use an electric pizzelle iron.

Serving

Pizzelle are often dusted with powdered sugar before being served. They can be served flat, or they can be quickly rolled into a cone or tube while still warm and flexible, then filled with cannoli cream or other sweet fillings. During Christmas and Easter, pizzelle are often found at Italian tables and are a staple at many Italian-American weddings.

See also

• List of Italian desserts
• List of cookies