Strenna (cake) facts for kids

Strenna is a special round pie from Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Its name comes from the Latin word "strēna," which means "gift of good luck." This tasty pie is a big part of Corsican cooking, especially from the town of Vico.

People in Corsica traditionally make Strenna for New Year's Day. It's not just a dessert; it's a gift! Villagers give these pies to family members who visit to share New Year's wishes. It's a sweet way to celebrate and wish good fortune.

What Is Strenna Made Of?

Strenna is made with simple, delicious ingredients. The main parts are wheat flour, a special type of shortening called sdruttu, and a fresh brocciu cheese. It also includes eggs, sugar, and a bit of orange zest for a bright flavor. Olive oil and sugared milk help bring everything together.

How to Make a Strenna Pie

Making Strenna involves a few steps, starting with the dough.

Preparing the Dough

First, bakers mix flour, sdruttu, eggs, and sugared milk to create a soft dough. They knead the dough until it's smooth, then let it rest. After resting, the dough is divided into two equal parts.

Making the Filling

While the dough rests, the filling is prepared. The fresh brocciu cheese is pressed through a sieve to make it smooth. Then, it's mixed with eggs, sugar, olive oil, and the fragrant grated orange zest. This creates a creamy, sweet filling.

Assembling and Baking the Pie

Each part of the dough is rolled out into a round disk. One disk goes into a cake pan that's been greased with oil. Small holes are poked in it with a fork. The brocciu filling is spread evenly over this bottom layer.

The second dough disk is placed on top of the filling. It's also poked with a fork and then gently pressed around the edges to seal it with the bottom layer. Finally, the top of the pie is brushed with egg yolk to give it a golden shine. The Strenna is then baked in a warm oven for about an hour until it's perfectly cooked and golden brown.