Pizzelle

Pizzelle are traditional Italian waffle cookies made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter or vegetable oil, and flavoring (often anise, but also vanilla or lemon zest). Pizzelle can be hard and crisp or soft and chewy depending on the ingredients and method of preparation. Pizzelle were originally made in Ortona, in the Abruzzo region of south-central Italy. The name comes from the Italian word for "round" and "flat" (pizze); this is also the meaning of the word pizza. Many other cultures have developed a pizzelle-type cookie as part of their culture (for example, the Norwegian Krumkake). It is known to be one of the oldest cookie recipes known to exist.

History

The Pizzelle originated from the region of Abruzzo, located in south-central Italy. They were initially made in the city of Ortona. The cookies are believed to have been developed in the mid-eighteenth century. The traditional method of making pizzelle involves the use of an iron press, similar to a waffle iron, which imprints a snowflake pattern onto both sides of the thin golden-brown cookie.

Ingredients and Preparation

The basic ingredients for making pizzelle are simple and readily available: flour, eggs, sugar, butter or vegetable oil, and flavoring. The most common flavorings are anise (either the seeds or anise-flavored liqueur), vanilla, or lemon zest. Some variations of the recipe may include other ingredients such as almonds, chocolate, or spices.

The batter is often made by beating the eggs and sugar, then adding in the melted butter and flavorings, followed by the flour. This mixture is then placed onto a pizzelle iron, which is similar to a waffle iron. The iron imprints a snowflake pattern onto both sides of the thin golden-brown cookie.

Cultural Significance

Pizzelle are often associated with holidays and celebrations, such as Christmas and Easter. In some regions, they are also used in weddings. The cookies can be served as is, or they can be molded into various shapes (such as a cannolo shell or a cone) while they are still warm and flexible.

Variations

There are many variations of pizzelle. The traditional pizzelle flavor is anise, but other flavors such as vanilla, lemon, almond, and chocolate can also be used. Some variations may include adding nuts, spices, or cocoa to the batter. In addition, pizzelle can be made into different shapes such as a cannolo shell or a cone. Template:Italian-dessert-stub

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