Sfinci are a beloved sweet treat in Sicilian culinary tradition, typically enjoyed during the Feast of Saint Joseph (Father's Day) and throughout the Carnival season. However, they can now be found almost every day in the island's fry shops or rotisseries. But what are they exactly? They are delicious sweet rice fritters, easy and quick to make.
What are Sfinci?
The term "sfinci" refers to two distinct Sicilian preparations. One is the rice-based fritter, the focus of this article, while the other is sfinci di San Giuseppe, made from choux pastry and filled with ricotta cream. Both share the characteristic of being light and airy, reminiscent of a sponge. The name "sfinci" itself is believed to derive from Latin and Arabic words meaning "sponge," aptly describing their texture.
Sfinci di Riso: A Simple Recipe
Sfinci di riso are made from readily available ingredients: whole milk, flour, sugar, baking powder, and orange zest. Preparing rice sfinci is within everyone's reach and takes just over an hour: start by cooking the rice over low heat in milk flavored with orange zest and cinnamon, so that the rice gradually absorbs all the milk. Once the rice is cooked, add the flour, sugar and yeast and then let the mixture rest and cool before creating the elongated meatballs that will be our sfinci.
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Whole milk
- Flour 00 plus q.b.
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Orange zest
- Cinnamon (optional)
Preparation:
- Cook the rice in milk flavored with orange zest and cinnamon over low heat. If milk is absorbed but the rice is not yet cooked, add a little milk at a time and continue cooking.
- Once cooked, let the rice cool down.
- Add flour, sugar, and baking powder to the rice.
- Mix well and let the batter rest.
- Shape the dough into elongated meatballs.
- Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
Regional Variations
Each area in the territory between Messina and Catania has its own rice sfinci recipe. For example, some flavor them with lemon zest instead of orange, or some prepare them only with water, without using milk.
Sfinci di San Giuseppe: A Creamy Delight
Sfinci di San Giuseppe are typical sweets prepared on March 19 for Father's Day. They are the Sicilian equivalent of zeppole di San Giuseppe and are quite easy to prepare: between preparation and cooking, it takes about three quarters of an hour. Sfinci (or sfince) of San Giuseppe are tasty and soft fritters of Palermo origin, covered with a delicate ricotta cream and chocolate drops, chopped pistachios, cherries and candied orange peel.
Leggi anche: Sfince Siciliane: Tradizione e Sapore
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Eggs
- Yeast
- Milk
- Sugar
- Ricotta cheese
- Chocolate chips
- Pistachios
- Candied cherries
- Candied orange peel
Preparation:
- Mix flour with eggs, yeast and milk, until a batter is obtained that after a resting period of a few hours will be fried in a pan with spoonfuls and decorated with icing sugar.
- To prepare the San Giuseppe sfinci, make the ricotta cream.
- Put the dough in a planetary mixer with the leaf hook (or work by hand with a wooden spoon) and work the dough for 1 minute, then add the eggs one at a time: do not add the next egg if the previous one has not been completely absorbed. You will need to obtain a smooth, creamy and dense batter.
- Fry in hot oil until golden brown, turning often with two forks to brown them on all sides and then swell well. With this temperature, the sfinci must fry for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Once you have finished frying, let the sfinci cool, then take the ricotta cream, work it for a few seconds with a wooden spoon and then, using a spoon, cover the surface of the sfinci.
- Garnish each sfincio with chopped pistachios, a candied cherry and a candied orange peel.
Sfinci Siciliani: Carnival Tradition
The term "sfinci" also refers to another preparation, the Sicilian sfinci, always Sicilian, based on choux pastry, with a filling of ricotta cream! As for the Carnival recipe, one of the oldest, that of Sicilian sfinci: small pieces of leavened dough fried in boiling oil and enriched with raisins. Thanks to a rain of granulated sugar they become so delicious that one leads to another… with moderation! Like all popular recipes, there are different versions of these Carnival fritters, some include the addition of boiled potatoes in the dough or a filling of chocolate chips, but we have fallen in love with this simpler version of Sicilian sfinci, made with a dough only based on water, sugar, flour and raisins.
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Water
- Sugar
- Raisins
- Brewer's yeast
- Granulated sugar
Preparation:
- Start by soaking the raisins.
- In a bowl, pour the flour, add the sugar and water a little at a time.
- Also add the crumbled yeast and mix until it is completely dissolved.
- Work vigorously for 5 minutes, so as to dissolve any lumps.
- Heat plenty of seed oil in a pan to a temperature of 170°, then take a spoonful of dough and immerse it in the hot oil.
- Fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning the sfinci from time to time with a skimmer.
- Transfer the fried sfinci as you go onto a wire rack.
- When they are all ready, roll them still hot in the sugar; in this way the sugar will adhere better.
Paneangeli's Contribution
For those looking for ideas for easy and quick desserts to prepare, here are some delicious recipes that will win you over. With the help of Paneangeli, you can create delicious desserts in no time, perfect for any occasion.
- Pancakes Without Yeast: Fluffy and Delicious Pancakes without yeast are fluffy and delicious like the originals, but prepared with egg whites beaten until stiff and a pinch of baking soda. A light and tasty alternative for breakfast or brunch.
- Danish Swirls: A Sweet Awakening Danish swirls are soft sweets perfect for breakfast, filled with cream and raisins. A timeless classic that will win everyone over.
- Sicilian Sfinci: A Dive into Tradition Sicilian sfinci are soft balls of fried dough and passed in sugar, enriched with raisins! A typical dessert of the Sicilian tradition, perfect for celebrating Carnival or for a delicious cuddle.
- Christmas Glass: A Festive Dessert The Christmas glass with mascarpone and chocolate is a delicious spoon dessert decorated with a cute snowman made of marshmallow!
- Bread with Instant Yeast: Quick and Tasty Sandwiches Bread with instant yeast is a way to get quick olive sandwiches, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect to accompany an aperitif or an informal dinner.
- Pizza with Sourdough: A Classic Homemade Homemade pizza with sourdough is easy to prepare! A great alternative to takeaway pizza, to enjoy a genuine product made with love.
Apple Cake with Pane degli Angeli: Detailed Recipe
Here is a detailed recipe for preparing a delicious apple cake using Pane degli Angeli yeast: Work the butter until creamy and gradually add sugar, vanillin, eggs, lemon flavor and salt. Knead the flour mixed and sifted with the Frumina by spoonfuls and, lastly, the sifted LIEVITO PANE DEGLI ANGELI. If the dough is too thick, add the amount of milk sufficient to obtain a dough of such consistency as to detach heavily from the spoon.
Leggi anche: Sfincette: Dolce e Salato
Leggi anche: Tradizione Siciliana: Sfincette
tags: #sfinci #con #lievito #paneangeli