Sicilian Taralli

Here is the recipe for Sicilian Taralli. These are typical sweets, traditionally spiced with fennel seeds, which are often found in confectioneries and bakeries of the island. Here’s how to prepare them.

Ingredients

• 500 g of type 00 flour
• 200 g of sugar
• 100 g of lard or butter
• 100 ml of dry white wine
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 sachet of baking powder
• 1 egg to brush
• Fennel seeds to taste
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, sift the flour and baking powder, then add the sugar and a pinch of salt.
2. Add the lard in small pieces (or butter, if you prefer) and work with your hands until you get a sandy mixture.
3. Incorporate the eggs and begin to mix.
4. Slowly pour in the white wine and continue to knead until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous dough.
5. Add fennel seeds to taste, according to your own preference.
6. Take small pieces of dough and shape into cords about 10-15 cm long, then join the ends to form the taralli.
7. Place the taralli on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush them with a beaten egg to give them a nice golden color.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20-25 minutes or until they are lightly golden.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving.

Sicilian Taralli can be stored in a tin box to preserve their fragrance. They offer a unique flavor thanks to the fennel seeds that characterize them and are perfect to accompany a good wine at aperitif time.

Curiosity

Fennel is a spice that in Sicily is used in many preparations, both sweet and savory, for its distinctive aroma that is capable of giving an unmistakable touch to dishes. In the case of Taralli, the fennel marries beautifully with the sweetness of the sugar and the rustic flavor of the lard or butter, creating a balance of flavors that recalls the Sicilian pastry tradition.