Citrus Carnival Chiacchiere: the explosive recipe that is taking the web by storm
Carnival chiacchiere are the symbolic dessert of this festive period. Crunchy, delicious, and irresistible, these fried dough sheets covered in powdered sugar are a true delight for the palate. But have you ever tried citrus Carnival chiacchiere? This variant is becoming popular online, thanks to its fresh and citrusy flavor that makes them even tastier.
A dive into the history of chiacchiere
The origins of chiacchiere are very ancient. The first evidence dates back to ancient Rome, where fritters called “frictilia” were prepared during the Saturnalia, a festival corresponding to our Carnival, and they were fried in pork fat. Over the centuries, chiacchiere have spread throughout Italy, taking on different names depending on the region: frappe, bugie, cenci, etc.
The recipe for citrus Carnival chiacchiere is very simple. A dough is made with flour, eggs, sugar, liqueurs, butter, and citrus zest (orange, lemon, mandarin). The dough is then rolled into thin sheets, which are fried in hot oil until golden. Once cooled, the chiacchiere are dusted with powdered sugar and served.
Below are other sweet Carnival recipes:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 60 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Carnival
- Energy 191.99 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 7.39 (g) of which sugars 2.07 (g)
- Proteins 1.16 (g)
- Fat 17.70 (g) of which saturated 3.32 (g)of which unsaturated 13.51 (g)
- Fibers 0.17 (g)
- Sodium 36.49 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 14 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 1/2 tbsp butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 orange (zested)
- 1/2 lemon (zested)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 cup rum
- 2 1/3 tbsp white wine
- 1/8 cup grappa (or brandy)
- 1 tsp salt
- as needed peanut oil
- as needed powdered sugar
Tools
- Mixer Kitchenaid Planetary – Artisan – Stand Mixer with Tilt-Head and 3 Attachments – 4.8 L – Color Fresh Linen
- Pasta Roller Imperia Ipasta Classic Pasta Machine, Fresh Pasta in Stainless Steel, Manual Roller with Crank, for Lasagna, Tagliolini, Fettuccine, 100% Made in Italy
- Fluted Pastry Wheel Stainless Steel Pastry Wheel with Non-Slip Wooden Handle, Multi-Functional Fluted Cutter for Homemade Pasta, Ravioli, Tortellini
Steps for citrus carnival chiacchiere
In the mixer, combine the flour with sugar, butter, salt, zests, and vanilla; mix until you get a “sandy” dough. Continue adding the eggs, rum, wine, and grappa, knead until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about half an hour.
On a work surface, roll out the dough with a pasta roller to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut rectangles with a fluted pastry wheel, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and make a slit in the center of each rectangle. With your hands, twist the rectangles, rolling the edges.
In a saucepan, heat the peanut oil, preferably to 330°F, then fry the chiacchiere a few at a time. Once golden, remove them from the oil and place on absorbent paper; just before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Storage of citrus chiacchiere
They can be stored for several days in a sealed container
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why are citrus chiacchiere so viral?
The unique flavor: The addition of citrus zest gives the chiacchiere a fresh and intense aroma that perfectly matches the sweetness of the powdered sugar.
The ease of preparation: The recipe is very simple and accessible to everyone, even those without much kitchen experience.
