Pizzelle facts for kids
Pizzelle
|
|
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Abruzzo |
| Main ingredients | Flour, butter/oil, and sugar |
Pizzelle are delicious Italian waffle cookies. They are made from simple ingredients like flour, eggs, sugar, and butter or oil. People often add flavors like anise (which tastes a bit like licorice), vanilla, or lemon. Pizzelle can be crispy or a little chewy, depending on how they are made. You can even shape them into cool forms, like little tubes!
Contents
The Story of Pizzelle
Pizzelle first came from a town called Ortona in the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy. The name "pizzelle" sounds a bit like "pizza" because both words come from an old Italian word meaning "flat" or "round."
These cookies are thought to be one of the oldest types of cookies around! Some people believe they came from an ancient Roman cookie called "crustulum." Over time, many other countries have made similar cookies, like the Krumkake from Norway.
Different Names for Pizzelle
In different parts of Italy, pizzelle have other names. In some areas of Abruzzo, they are called "nevole." If you go to the Lazio region, you might hear them called "ferratelle." In Molise, they can be known as "ferratelle," "cancelle," or "pizzelle."
How Pizzelle are Made
To make pizzelle, you put the cookie dough into a special tool called a pizzelle iron. This iron looks a bit like a small waffle iron. Long ago, people held the pizzelle iron by hand over a hot stove burner. Today, most people use electric pizzelle irons, which are much easier!
The iron presses a beautiful snowflake pattern onto both sides of the thin cookie. Once the pizzelle cool down, they become nice and crisp. You can also find ready-made pizzelle in stores if you want a quick treat.
When to Enjoy Pizzelle
Pizzelle are very popular during special holidays like Christmas and Easter in Italy. They are also often served at Italian weddings, along with other yummy treats like cannoli.
You can eat pizzelle plain, or you can make them even more delicious! It's common to make a sandwich by putting two pizzelle together with a creamy filling. This filling can be cannoli cream (a sweet mix of ricotta cheese and sugar) or a hazelnut spread. When pizzelle are still warm, you can roll them around a wooden stick to create little cannoli shells, which can then be filled with cream.
See also
In Spanish: Ferratella para niños
