Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Maria Stuarda: Sicilian Pastries with Courgette Jam
Discover the delightful Maria Stuarda, traditional Sicilian pastries filled with a unique courgette jam. Perfect for any occasion!
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g plain flour
- ✓ 200 g lard
- ✓ 800 g caster sugar
- ✓ 1 egg
- ✓ 50 ml milk
- ✓ Half a sachet of vanilla sugar
- ✓ 5 g baking ammonia
- ✓ A pinch of salt
- ✓ 1 kg long green courgettes (serpent courgettes)
- ✓ Juice of half a lemon
- ✓ Icing sugar, for dusting
📊 Nutritional Information
Maria Stuarda are classic Sicilian treats, particularly popular in the western regions of the island. These little cakes are enriched with a luscious courgette jam, showcasing the heart of Sicilian home baking. Picture biting into a crisp, crumbly pastry that envelopes a sweet, subtly fragrant filling – the distinctive flavour of serpent courgettes gives these pastries their unmistakable character. Ideal to share on any occasion, Maria Stuarda are a genuine delight to enjoy with family and friends, especially during festive gatherings or an afternoon tea. Though making them takes a bit of time, the process is a cherished ritual that fills your kitchen with an utterly irresistible aroma.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Begin by sifting the flour onto your work surface. Add the sugar, baking ammonia, salt, vanilla sugar, crumbled lard, and egg. Incorporate the milk gradually and knead until you obtain a smooth dough.
- 2
Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film, and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- 3
For the courgette preserve, prepare the courgettes by chopping them into pieces and removing the seeds.
- 4
Cook the courgettes in boiling water until tender, then drain them, allowing to sit and drain thoroughly for at least 8 hours.
- 5
After draining, place the courgettes in a pan with the lemon juice and 600 g of sugar per kilo of drained courgettes. Stir frequently as it cooks.
- 6
Once the mixture starts to pull away cleanly from the sides of the pan, remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- 7
Roll out the pastry and cut out rounds to line buttered and floured tart tins. Spoon a tablespoon of the courgette preserve onto each base.
- 8
Decorate with strips of pastry arranged in the traditional lattice pattern.
- 9
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 45 minutes, or until golden.
- 10
Allow the Maria Stuarda to cool at room temperature, then dust generously with icing sugar.
💡 Tips and Variations
For a richer flavour, try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the courgette jam. Alternatively, swap the courgette preserve for pumpkin jam to create a lovely autumnal twist.
📦 Storage
- • Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- • You can freeze the baked pastries for up to one month.
- • Reheat gently in the oven at 160°C for 5 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Serve Maria Stuarda alongside a glass of Marsala Vergine or Soleras Ambra Secco, chilled to about 8–10°C, to perfectly complement these charming sweets.
Why not bring a slice of Sicilian charm to your kitchen by trying Maria Stuarda at home? These delightful pastries are wonderful for sharing, whether at tea time or special gatherings. The combination of tender, fragrant courgette jam wrapped in crumbly pastry is truly something to savour. Do give this recipe a go and let the spirit of Sicily fill your home — your friends and family will thank you for it!
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