Fritelli facts for kids
Fritelli castagnini
|
|
| Type | Doughnut or fritter |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Region or state | Corsica |
| Main ingredients | wheat flour or Chestnut flour |
Fritelli (pronounced Free-TEL-lee) are tasty doughnuts or fritters from Corsica, an island in France. They are often made from fried wheat flour. Sometimes, they are made with special chestnut flour, and then they are called Fritelle castagnine.
You can find different kinds of Fritelli. Some are made with fresh cheese, like Brocciu, and are called Fritelli di Casgiu Frescu. Others might even have sausage in them, known as Fritelli di Salciccia.
The Story of Chestnut Flour
Long ago, in 1880, people in Corsica used chestnuts to make flour for Fritelli. They would collect chestnuts that had fallen from the trees. It was important not to shake the trees to make the nuts fall.
Once collected, the chestnuts were taken to small huts. They were spread out about six inches deep on trays. Then, green wood fires were used to slowly cook them. This made the chestnuts hard and dry.
Keeping Chestnuts for Years
After drying, the chestnuts could be stored for many years. When needed, they were ground into flour. This flour was like flour made from corn or wheat. It was then used to make Fritelli.
Chestnut flour was also used for other traditional dishes. These included "pulenta" (polenta), necci, pattoni, castagnacciu, and cialdi. These foods show how important chestnuts were to the people of Corsica.
