I call these cookies with dried fruits ZELTENINI (Zelten cookies). They are soft and made with the same dough as my grandmother’s classic Trentino Zelten recipe, which we traditionally prepare for Christmas in my family. HERE the original cake version recipe.
SEASONALITY of #driedfruits #almonds #hazelnuts #walnuts #pine nuts – available all year round
COOKIE RECIPES
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Costly
- Rest time: 8 Hours
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Portions: about 80 cookies on 2 (or 3) baking sheets
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Regional Italian
- Region: Trentino-Alto Adige
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 42.56 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 5.52 (g) of which sugars 2.86 (g)
- Proteins 0.77 (g)
- Fat 2.05 (g) of which saturated 0.44 (g)of which unsaturated 0.47 (g)
- Fibers 0.38 (g)
- Sodium 9.06 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 10 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
ZELTENINI – Cookies with Dried Fruits
Preparation and resting times are long, but the execution is simple and sure to succeed.
- 3.5 oz raisins
- 5.25 oz walnuts (shelled and/or almonds)
- 4.4 oz dried figs
- 0.88 oz pine nuts
- 3.5 oz candied fruit (or dried apricots)
- 0.7 oz rum (or cognac, grappa…)
- 1.75 oz butter (softened)
- 2.6 oz sugar (or less)
- 2 eggs (medium)
- 5.25 oz all-purpose flour (or type 1 or semi-whole wheat)
- Half packet baking powder (0.28 oz)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1.4 oz milk (or as needed)
- almonds (shelled or peeled)
- hazelnuts
- walnuts
- pine nuts
- candied cherries
Tools
- 2 Bowls
- Electric mixers
- Parchment paper reusable
ZELTENINI – Cookies with Dried Fruits
The Night Before
Soak the raisins (3.5 oz) in a little warm water for about 30 minutes, then drain.
Coarsely chop the shelled walnuts (5.25 oz) by hand.
Remove the hard stems from the dried figs (4.4 oz), then slice them thinly and chop into small pieces.
Place all the prepared dried fruit in a large bowl: chopped walnuts, chopped dried figs, whole pine nuts (0.88 oz), soaked raisins, and pieces of candied orange and citron (3.5 oz). Add a little rum (0.7 oz) and mix well with a fork.
Cover and refrigerate for the entire night (at least 8 hours).
The Day After
Remove the butter (1.75 oz) from the fridge to soften.
In a bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar (2.6 oz) until creamy. Add the two eggs (one at a time), the flour (5.25 oz), the baking powder (0.28 oz), the pinch of salt, and the milk (1.4 oz or as needed). Mix all the ingredients well, alternating between adding the flour and the milk.
Add the batter (it will be thick) to the dried fruits. Mix well with a spatula (or a spoon).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Take less than half a tablespoon of batter at a time to form small cookies and place them on the baking sheet. Decorate with extra dried fruits (optional).
Bake (one sheet at a time) in a preheated static oven at 356°F for about 15 minutes or until done, on the middle rack.
VARIANTS and ALTERNATIVES
* in place of walnuts, you can use partly, or entirely: almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios.
**you can use your preferred candied fruit (orange, citron, mixed candied fruits, candied cherries) or dried fruit (dried apricots, ginger).
For a BUTTER-FREE version
Use 1.4 oz of seed or rice oil.
STORAGE of cookies with dried fruits
They keep for months in a tin box.
MUFFIN version
With the same dough, you can make 12 Muffins as shown in the photos below.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes.
What is Zelten?
Zelten is a traditional sweet from the Alpine regions, particularly popular in Trentino-Alto Adige. Its preparation is associated with Christmas traditions and end-of-year celebrations. The recipe for zelten varies from family to family, but it is generally characterized by the use of dried fruits like walnuts, dried figs, raisins, and often candied fruits and pine nuts.
Who invented Zelten? What is its history?
The origin of zelten is connected to Tyrolean tradition, but there isn’t a specific inventor. This sweet was born as a dish made from leftover ingredients, prepared with dried fruits and spices, which were easily storable during the winter months. Its preparation has been passed down from generation to generation.
