Pizzelle

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A pizzelle (pronounced with ts sound, like "pizza") is a traditional Italian waffle cookie made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter or vegetable oil, and flavoring (often vanilla, anise, or lemon zest). Pizzelle can be hard and crisp or soft and chewy depending on the ingredients and method of preparation, although the traditional pizzelles are hard and crisp.

Pizzelle were originally made in the Abruzzo region of south-central Italy. The name comes from the Italian word for "round" and "flat" (pizze); this is also the meaning of the word pizza. Many other cultures have developed a pizzelle-type cookie as part of their culture. It is known to be one of the oldest cookies. Pizzelle are known as ferratelle in the Lazio and Molise regions of Italy.

The cookie dough or batter is put into a pizzelle iron, which resembles a waffle iron. The pizzelle iron is held by hand over a hot burner on the stovetop, although some models are electric and require no stove. Typically, the iron stamps a snowflake pattern onto both sides of this thin golden-brown cookie, which has a crisp texture once it is cooled. There are also several brands of ready-made pizzelle available in stores.

Pizzelle are popular during Christmas and Easter. They are often found at Italian weddings, alongside other traditional pastries such as cannoli.

It is also common for two pizzelle to be sandwiched with cannoli cream or hazelnut spread.

[edit] References

"Grandma's Pizzelle Recipe" HolidayPages4u December 28, 2006.
"Pizzelle Traditions." Chef’s Choice. 15 Sept. 2006. Edgecraft Organization. 4 December 2006.
Stradley, Linda. "History of Cookies." What’s Cooking America. 26 Sept. 2006. 4 December 2006.