Cacavellu facts for kids
Caccaveddu from Sartène
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| Type | Sweet bread |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Corsica |
| Main ingredients | yeast dough |
Cacavellu is a special cake from Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It's usually shaped like a crown and made from a soft, yeasty dough. This tasty treat is very popular in the village of Vico.
There's also another similar cake called caccaveddu in southern Corsica, especially around Sartène. This version is a bit like the Campanile cake. Both are often made for the Easter holiday.
Making Cacavellu
Cacavellu is made with several simple ingredients. These include wheat flour, yeast, salt, eggs, and sugar. It also uses a type of fat called sdruttu (shortening) and a strong spirit called aquavita.
A special ingredient is brocciu, a fresh Corsican cheese. Grated orange zest adds a lovely citrus smell. Finally, olive oil is used to help bake the cake.
How It's Baked
First, the yeast is mixed into some warm water. Then, flour, eggs, and aquavita are added to make a dough. This dough is kneaded well and left to rest for about an hour. This resting time helps the dough rise and become fluffy.
While the dough rests, the brocciu cheese is pressed through a sieve to make it smooth. It's then mixed with eggs, sugar, and the grated orange zest. This creates a sweet, creamy filling.
Next, the dough is rolled out into a flat circle. The brocciu mix is spread around the outer edge of this dough circle. A hole is made in the center of the dough. The edges of the dough are then lifted and pressed together. This encloses the filling and shapes the cake like a doughnut.
Finally, the cake is placed on a baking plate that has been greased with olive oil. It bakes in a warm oven for about an hour until it's golden brown and delicious.
