Nut-filled Cookie Sticks
"Sfratti means "evicted." The name comes from Italian landlords of long ago who used sticks to chase away poor tenants who had not paid their rent. Some of them were probably poor Jews. The cookies are stick-like, and Jewish cooks have turned their origins around, making them instead sweet symbols of eviction. These honey-and-nut-filled cookies are served at Rosh Hashanah. As described, in Aldo Santini's La cucina maremmana, they are made with pastry moistened with sweet wine instead of water. Butter or margarine is used, depending upon whether the rest of the meal is dairy or not. My family thinks these are better than rugelach!..."
INGREDIENTS
•
For Pastry:
•
3 cups all-purpose flour
•
1 cup sugar
•
Pinch of salt
•
1/3 cup chilled margarine or unsalted butter
•
2/3 cup sweet wine
•
For Filling:
•
2/3 cup honey
•
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
•
2 cups walnuts, coarsely chopped
•
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
•
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
•
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
•
All-purpose flour or fine bread crumbs for dusting
•
1 egg yolk beaten with 2 tablespoons water, for egg wash
Comments & Reviews
Just A Pinch Sweepstakes