Savor the secret of pantelleria kisses: Sicily's sweet delight

To say that Italian desserts are excellent is an understatement. Many of us are beginning to recognize the regions these sweets come from, with Sicily leading the way. Treats from this Italian island often feature pistachios. These include primarily cannoli, which are filled tubes, almond cookies known as paste di mandorla, and brioche con gelato, which is simply brioche with ice cream. Maybe soon we'll also be mentioning Pantelleria kisses among them. These cookies are fried in fat, similar to doughnuts or angel wings, making them perfect for carnival.

Pantelleria kisses are small, charming cookies made from pancake batter but with the addition of yeast. This makes them rise and gives them a soft texture. They have a characteristic flower shape, for which a mold is needed, and you can easily buy it online. The cookies consist of two layers and are filled with a cream based on ricotta cheese and chocolate. Ricotta cheese, with its creamy consistency and delicate taste, is often compared to cottage cheese.

Ingredients:

                      
• 2 eggs
• 6 oz flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Filling:

          
• 9 oz ricotta cheese
• 3 oz powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons coarsely grated chocolate

Preparation method:

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm milk, add the eggs and mix with a whisk.
2. Add the flour and a pinch of salt, and mix everything again with a whisk. The batter should be quite thick. Set it aside for 5 minutes.
3. Heat the oil.
4. Scoop the prepared batter with a flower-shaped mold and place it in the heated oil. The "flower" must be golden on both sides.
5. Place the baked cookies on a paper towel to drain the excess fat. Let them cool.
6. Mix the ricotta with powdered sugar and chocolate pieces.
7. Put the cream on the cookie. You can do this with a spoon or use a pastry bag.
8. Sprinkle the finished cookies with powdered sugar.