Taralli with fennel seeds

Fennel seed taralli are a traditional snack from the Puglia region in Italy. Crunchy and fragrant, they are the perfect accompaniment for aperitifs or to nibble on at any time of the day. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 500 g of flour
• 10 g of salt
• 10 g of fennel seeds
• 130-150 ml of white wine (at room temperature)
• 130 ml of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 packet of baking powder for savory cakes (optional)

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the salt and baking powder (if you choose to use it).
2. Add the fennel seeds to the mixture and mix well.
3. Pour in the oil and half of the white wine. Start kneading and, if necessary, add the rest of the white wine a little at a time until a smooth and elastic dough is obtained.
4. Cover the dough and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Take small portions of dough and roll them on a flat surface to form “snakes” about 1 cm in diameter.
6. Close each snake onto itself to form circles, pressing the ends to adhere well.
7. Bring a pot of water to a boil and plunge the taralli in, a few at a time. As soon as they float to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean towel to dry.
8. Arrange the taralli on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20-30 minutes or until golden.
9. Let them cool completely before serving.

Fun Fact

The Pugliese taralli can be flavored in various ways, not only with fennel, but also with pepper, chili, rosemary, or other flavors that you prefer. They are great to enjoy on their own or paired with cheeses and cold cuts for an Italian-style aperitif.

Happy cooking and enjoy your meal!