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Neole morbide abruzzesi

17/11/2023

The soft Neole from Abruzzo are a traditional dessert of this region’s culinary tradition, especially during the Christmas period. They are similar to thin, light, flavoured wafers, which can be served as cookies or wrapped around a cannoli iron while still hot to give them a tubular shape. The recipe that follows should be prepared with a specific iron for Neole, similar to a waffle iron.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 100 g of melted (and cooled) butter
  • The grated zest of 1 lemon
  • Butter or oil for greasing the iron
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 sachet of vanillin or a teaspoon of natural vanilla extract
  • Seed oil for frying (if opting for fried cooking)
  • Powdered sugar for decorating (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until you have a frothy and pale mixture.
  2. Add the melted and cooled butter, grated lemon zest, vanillin, and a pinch of salt to the mixture. Mix all the ingredients well until the mixture is homogeneous.
  3. Gradually incorporate the sifted flour, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. The batter should be smooth and uniform.
  4. Heat the Neole iron over the fire. When it is hot, grease it lightly with some butter or oil.
  5. Place a spoonful of batter on the iron and close, pressing down to spread the mixture evenly. Cook for about 1-2 minutes or until the Neole are golden and crispy.
  6. Carefully remove the Neole from the iron, making sure not to burn yourself, and, if you want to give them a shape, wrap them immediately around a cone or rod before they cool and harden.
  7. Let the Neole cool completely on a wire rack.
  8. If desired, you can dust the Neole with powdered sugar before serving.

Soft Neole can be stored in tin boxes or airtight containers to maintain their crispness. They are perfect for dipping in coffee or sweet wine for a snack or at the end of a meal.

Curiosity

The term “neola” derives from the Latin “neula,” which in turn seems to originate from the Greek “nelos,” meaning ‘tube’ or ‘nostril,’ probably due to their particular shape when rolled up.