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| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Siena, Tuscany |
| Main ingredients | Anise seeds, almonds, candied fruits, coriander, flour, Tuscan millefiori honey |
Cavallucci are an Italian Christmas pastry made with anise, walnuts, candied fruits, coriander, and flour. They are Sienese in origin, and the name translates approximately to 'little horses'. The chewy pastries are similar to a cookie or biscuit and traditionally use Tuscan millefiori honey as an essential ingredient in the dough.
History
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The pastries were originally imprinted with the image of a horse (cavalli is the Italian term for 'horses'). They are a version of a pastry which is traceable to the reign of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492), when they were called "biriquocoli".
Many hypotheses are associated with the origin of its name. According to the most popular version of the story, cavallucci were served to travelers on horseback as a source of nourishment for long trips. Another speculation is that postal workers who delivered mail over long distances ate the pastries on a regular basis. Additionally surmised is that these sweets were the usual snack of servants who worked in horse stables of rich Italian aristocrats in Siena, a city which gained its fame for horse racing.
Serving
The pastry is often paired with sweet dessert wines, such as Vin Santo, and dipped into the wine before being eaten.
See also
References
- ^ "Cavallucci". ifood.tv. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- Esposito, Mary Ann. "Horsemen's Cookies". Ciao Italia. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Christmas cakes and sweets in Tuscany". Turismo in Toscana. Regione Toscana. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
External links
- Cavallucci (o morsetti) di Siena Retrieved 26 April 2013
- Cavallucci: Local Recipe in Tuscany, Italy Retrieved 26 April 2013