Profile

Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Cuffiteḍḍi di Calascibetta: Sicilian Fig and Almond Festive Delights

Cuffiteḍḍi di Calascibetta: Sicilian Fig and Almond Festive Delights

Discover the charm of Cuffiteḍḍi di Calascibetta, traditional Sicilian Christmas treats filled with dried figs and toasted almonds, capturing the warmth of Enna’s festive heritage.

Author: Mario Greco • Published on: January 28, 2022
Categories: Desserts Christmas Recipes
Tags: cinnamon cloves Enna flour 00 flour dried figs almonds lard sugar
⏱️
Prep Time
About 40 minutes plus 48 hours to rest the filling
🔥
Cook Time
Around 20 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 10
📊
Difficulty
Moderate
💰 Moderate
🗓️ Winter
⭐ 4.8/5

🛒 Ingredients

▸ For the shortcrust pastry

  • ✓ 500 g plain flour
  • ✓ 125 g lard
  • ✓ 100 g sugar

▸ For the filling

  • ✓ 300 g dried figs
  • ✓ 50 g sugar
  • ✓ 50 g toasted almonds
  • ✓ Ground cinnamon, as needed
  • ✓ 2 crushed cloves

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
310 kcal
Protein
5 g
Fat
12 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fiber
3 g
Sodium
45 mg

Known also as cuffitelle, Cuffiteḍḍi di Calascibetta are beloved Christmas pastries from the province of Enna. Their crumbly shortcrust pastry encases a rich filling of dried figs, toasted almonds, and warming spices, making them a cherished classic of Sicilian holiday celebrations.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Finely chop the dried figs, toasted almonds and cloves. Combine with sugar and cinnamon, mix well, then cover and leave to rest in the fridge for 48 hours to develop the flavours.

  2. 2

    Tip the flour onto a work surface, add the sugar and diced lard, then rub and knead until you have a smooth, firm dough.

  3. 3

    Roll out the pastry and cut out rounds about 8 cm across.

  4. 4

    Place a teaspoon of the filling onto each disc, fold over to form a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly together with a fork or a ‘piduzzu’ to seal.

  5. 5

    Arrange the pastries on a baking tray lined with parchment and bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes until golden.

  6. 6

    Dust with icing sugar and let cool completely before serving.

💡 Tips and Variations

For an extra layer of aroma, stir in a tablespoon of sweet wine or cooked grape must into the filling. You can also swap some of the almonds for toasted walnuts or hazelnuts for a different nutty twist.

📦 Storage

  • • Store your cuffiteḍḍi in an airtight tin or container for up to 30 days.
  • • They taste even better after a few days when the flavours have fully melded.

🍷 Pairing

Serve these delightful pastries alongside a glass of Moscato Passito di Pantelleria Liquoroso Extra, whose rich, sweet, and velvety notes beautifully complement the spiced figs and nuts.

Why not bring a touch of Sicilian festive magic to your kitchen this winter? These cuffiteḍḍi, steeped in tradition and bursting with warming flavours, are perfect for sharing with loved ones over a cosy afternoon tea or as a sweet finish to a seasonal feast. Give them a whirl — your family and friends will be asking for seconds before you know it!

Rate this recipe

Click or tap the stars to rate

Potrebbero interessarti anche: