Pinza (dessert) facts for kids
Pinza
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| Place of origin |  Italy |
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| Region or state | Veneto |
The pinza is a yummy, traditional dessert from the Veneto region in Italy. It's a bit like a sweet cake or a flan. Sometimes, it's also called the "putàna cake." But watch out! The name "pinza" can also mean other totally different desserts, like the pinza from Bologna or Trieste.
What is Pinza?
The exact recipe for pinza can be a little different depending on where you are in Veneto. But it always has some main features. The ingredients are usually simple, like what farmers would have used a long time ago.
Main Ingredients
Today, pinza recipes are often richer than in the past. Here are some common things you'll find in a pinza:
- Flour: Both white flour and yellow flour are often used.
- Yeast: This helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
- Sugar: To make it sweet, of course!
- Milk: To mix everything together.
- Special additions: You'll often find tasty bits like pine nuts, dried figs, raisins, and fennel seeds.
- Grappa: This is a strong Italian spirit. It adds a special flavor, but the alcohol usually cooks out during baking.
Pinza is often served with a glass of red wine, especially a sweet one like fragolino or warm mulled wine.
When is Pinza Eaten?
This delicious dessert can be quite big, sometimes even a meter (about 3 feet) across! It's usually enjoyed during special times of the year:
- Christmas holidays: A perfect treat for festive gatherings.
- Epiphany: This holiday is celebrated on January 6th.
- Bonfires: In some parts of Veneto, people light big bonfires at the start of the year. These bonfires have different names like le pìroe-paroe or panevìni. Sometimes, the pinza might even be cooked near or through these fires!
Where Does the Name Come From?
The word "pinza" probably comes from the same root word as "pizza." This suggests it might have been a flat, baked item originally.
