Buon Carnevale a tutti!! Italian "Cenci" Cookies & “Frittelle” Doughnuts For Carnevale!

It’s Carnevale time !!! Being an Italian American, Carnevale is celebrated much like Mardri Gras, but with an Italian flare to it. Carnevale which means in Italian “goodbye to meat” is celebrated before the beginning of Lent. It is the last chance to party-hardy before the days of abstinence. Traditionally during Lent, people refrained from eating, meat, dairy, fats, and sugars. So to dispose of these types of foods and drinks they involved the whole community to consume this food many years ago. You could say a giant party thus became Carnevale.

The Lenten season officially starts on February 18, (this year) Ash Wednesday and continues till Easter Sunday. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the faithful, as they await the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. This is done by prayer, penance, and giving up certain types of luxuries for this season. A favorite food or drink for example; chocolate or soft drinks may be what someone would give up for Lent.

I remember when I was a young girl my parents always made sure that we would give up something that was important and special to us. I remember the one thing that I would give up every year which was chocolate. As you, my readers know, I love chocolate and this was extremely hard for me. Then on Easter Sunday we would get a basket filled with goodies like a chocolate bunny and I was able to enjoy my chocolate fix once again.

Carnevale is a festival traditionally held by Christians, but many cities and regions worldwide celebrate with large events leading up to Ash Wednesday. In fact the last day of Carnival is called "Mardi Gras" in New Orleans and precedes Ash Wednesday. This day also is called by other names as “Shove Tuesday,” or “Fat Tuesday.” Most Christians celebrate Shrove Tuesday - in particular Methodists, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Episcopalians. It is not a traditional part of the Baptist church. For Christians it is a time to reflect, confess and ready one's spirit for the forty days of repentance that is Lent. That's where the term "shrove" comes from. "To shrive" is to hear confessions. Thus, Shrove Tuesday is a day of feasting as well as penance. In England, it is also called “Pancake Tuesday” because of the traditional pancake meal that occurs on that day.
 

There are many places that these festivals take place. To name a few famous ones which are held in the cities of Venice, Viareggio, Ivrea, Acireale, Milan, Verona, and Putignano, in Italy. They have a variety of celebrations which include floats, parades, stilt walkers, throwing confetti, and masquerade balls. Masks are worn to allow people of the lower class to be mixed and undetected with the aristocrats.  

The traditional colors of the masks are purple, green, and gold. These colors capture the essence of the Holy Trinity. In the Christian faith it is related also to the Three Kings of the Orient. The colors represent purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. The Carnival is a colorful, joyful party during which tasty and rich dishes are traditionally prepared. Loved by young and old, it is celebrated with masks that create a humorous and playful atmosphere. Like any self-respecting party, Carnival is also an excellent opportunity to share something special like the recipes. 

Today I have two sweet desserts for Carnevale! The first one is called “Cenci” in Italian which means “rags/ribbons.” When I was young I remember my grandmother “Nanni” used to make this type of Italian cookie. Instead of long strips she would take up the two ends and make a knot in the middle before frying them. They would look like bow ties or bows but how sweet and yummy they were especially with some powdered sugar or honey on them. Delizioso!
    
“Cenci”

Ingredients:
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons of sugar
1/2 tsp of vanilla or almond extract
1/2 teaspoon of salt   
2 cups of unbleached all purpose flour   
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of unsalted softened butter
Oil for deep frying
Confectioner’s sugar or honey

Directions:
In a bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and salt until frothy. Stir in vanilla or almond extract. Sift flour with baking powder and gradually add to batter. Add butter and mix well. Turn out on a floured surface: knead for at least 10 minutes. Divide dough into half; then roll each as thin as possible (noodle thickness) Cut into 5” x 1” strips with a knife or scalloped pastry wheel. Preheat oil to about 375°F; then fry strips until golden brown about 1 minute per side. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar or drizzle honey on top. Cookies are best served the same day.

My second recipe is called Italian Fritters or Frittelle. “Frittelle” are Venetian fried doughnuts served during Carnivale. Yummy for sure!! 

“Frittelle”

Total Time: 20 Minutes
Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Oil for deep frying
Confectioners' sugar
Granulated sugar

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. In a small bowl, combine the egg, milk, and butter. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°F. Drop dough by heaping teaspoonfuls, five or six at a time, into oil. Fry until browned, about 1-2 minutes, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Roll warm doughnut holes in confectioners' sugar or granulated sugar.

Till Next Time………..

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