Frittelle Di Castagne Chestnut Pancakes Recipes

FRITTELLE

Steps:

• For the dough: In a medium bowl, mix the yeast with the warm water and let sit for 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and sugar, and whisk. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose and whole wheat flours. Make a hole in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture. Slowly hand mix the flour until all the liquid is absorbed. If too wet, add more flour, 1/4 cup at a time. Sprinkle a clean work station with flour and knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Coat a large ceramic bowl with the remaining olive oil. Place the dough in the ceramic bowl and flip over to coat in the oil. Cover the top of the dough with plastic wrap and cover the bowl with a dish towel. Let rise until the dough has doubled in size, 2 hours. Punch down the dough and let rise for another hour.
• Heat canola oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer. Dust a clean surface with flour.
• Tear small chunks of the dough and roll into sticks. If they get too sticky, toss in flour and roll some more. Deep-fry until crispy and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a wire rack.
• For the chocolate nougat fondue: Melt the honey nougat milk chocolate over a double boiler on medium-low heat. Add the bittersweet chocolate and whipping cream. Stir until melted. Pour into a bowl.
• Put the frittelles on a plate and serve with a side of the chocolate nougat fondue.

FRITTELLE DI ZUCCA (SQUASH FRITTERS FROM THE VENETO)

Steps:

• Halve the squash or pumpkin, scoop out and discard the seeds and fibers, peel, and cut into 1/2-inch dice. You should have 3 to 3 1/2 cups. Place in a saucepan, add milk to cover, and place over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the squash breaks down into a smooth puree, about 30 minutes. Don't worry if the mixture looks curdled; it will smooth out. Stir in the 1 1/2 cups flour and continue to stir until the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed to bind. Beat in the dissolved baking soda, and then the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the salt, granulated sugar, orange zest, citron, raisins, and pine nuts. Remove from the heat. Let stand for about 15 minutes until most of the moisture has been absorbed. Pour oil to a depth of 3 inches in a deep frying pan or wok and heat to 375 degrees. In batches, drop the batter by small (1-inch diameter) teaspoonfuls into the hot oil. (These should not be too large or the center will not cook.) Fry until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain briefly. Keep warm until all the fritters are cooked. Arrange the fritters on a platter and sift a heavy dusting of confectioners' sugar over the top. Eat while hot or very warm.;

ZUPPA DI CASTAGNE: CHESTNUT SOUP

Steps:

• Put the olive oil, garlic, and shallot in a deep pot over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes, or until the garlic turns golden in color. Add the tomato puree, and chestnuts, and cook for another minute. Add the vegetable stock and bring the soup to a boil. Season the soup with salt and pepper, to taste. Reduce the heat, and let simmer for about 40 minutes. Before serving in individual bowls, sprinkle the soup with chopped parsley and croutons.