Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Ricotta Fritters — A Catania Street-Food Classic
Light, golden fritters filled with soft ricotta — a traditional Catanese street-food treat that’s simple to make and utterly irresistible.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g semolina flour
- ✓ 25 g fresh yeast
- ✓ 100 g ricotta
- ✓ extra-virgin olive oil, for frying
- ✓ salt
📊 Nutritional Information
Ricotta fritters — known in Catania simply as crispelle — are one of the most beloved winter treats in Sicilian street-food culture. Soft, warm and lightly crisp, they wrap a pillow of ricotta inside a delicate, yeasted semolina batter.
Traditionally enjoyed during the colder months, these fritters are the kind of food that warms you from the inside out. They’re simple, comforting and deeply nostalgic — every bite offering a little taste of Catania’s bustling markets and festive evenings.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Sift the flour into a large bowl, add the crumbled yeast and pour in 400 ml of warm water.
- 2
Mix until the dough becomes smooth and soft.
- 3
Add a pinch of salt, cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- 4
Pass the ricotta through a sieve to make it extra smooth.
- 5
Heat plenty of olive oil in a deep pan.
- 6
Take a spoonful of dough, place a small amount of ricotta in the centre and fold the dough over it to enclose the filling.
- 7
Fry the fritters in hot oil until golden.
- 8
Drain on kitchen paper and serve warm.
💡 Tips and Variations
Add a little grated lemon zest to the batter for a fragrant lift.
For a savoury twist, replace the ricotta with anchovies — a classic Sicilian variation.
📦 Storage
- • Store in the fridge for up to 1 day.
- • You can freeze the fritters after frying for up to 1 month.
- • Reheat in the oven at 180°C for 5 minutes before serving.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy these fritters with a glass of Nero d’Avola — its bold, fruity notes pair beautifully with the warm, delicate dough.
Thanks for trying these traditional Sicilian ricotta fritters. I hope they bring a little of Catania’s festive spirit into your home. Buon appetito!
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