Struffoli facts for kids
Struffoli
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| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Naples |
| Main ingredients | Dough, honey |
Struffoli are also known as Honey Balls. They are a yummy dessert from Naples, a city in Italy. These treats are made from small, sweet dough balls that are fried until they are golden.
The dough used for Struffoli is similar to dough used in other Italian sweets. For Struffoli, the dough is shaped into tiny balls, about the size of marbles. They become crunchy on the outside but stay light and soft inside.
After frying, the little dough balls are mixed with sweet honey. People often add other tasty things like colorful sprinkles (called diavulilli), cinnamon, and small pieces of orange peel. The honey-coated balls are then shaped into piles or rings.
Struffoli are a popular dessert, especially during Christmas time in Italy. They can be served warm, which makes them even more delicious! In different parts of Italy, they have other names. For example, in Calabria, they are called scalilli, and in Abruzzo, they are known as cicerchiata.
A Sweet History
The idea of Struffoli is quite old! A very similar sweet treat was described by an ancient Greek poet named Archestratus. He lived in Sicily, an island that is part of Italy today. He wrote about a dish called enkris.
Enkris was a dough ball that was fried in olive oil. After frying, it was covered in honey. This shows that people have been enjoying sweet, fried dough and honey for a very long time! The name "struffoli" itself comes from a Greek word, strongoulos, which means "rounded." This makes sense because Struffoli are round little balls!
Other Sweet Treats
Many cultures around the world have desserts that are similar to Struffoli. They often involve fried dough and a sweet syrup or honey. Here are a few examples:
- Piñonate (from Spain)
- Gulab jamun (from South Asia)
- Croquembouche (from France)
- Lokma (from the Mediterranean area)
- Pignolata (from Sicily, Italy)
- Teiglach (a type of Jewish cookie)
- Çäkçäk (a dish from Tatar, Bashkir, and Central Asian cultures)
See also
In Spanish: Struffoli para niños
