Pignolata (
Sicilian: ''Pignulata'') is a
Sicilian pastry, which originated in
Messina
Messina (, also , ) is a harbour city and the capital of the Italian Metropolitan City of Messina. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy, with a population of more than 219,000 inhabitants in ...
and is also common in
Calabria
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. It is a soft pastry, covered in
chocolate and
lemon-flavoured syrup or icing. This pastry is half covered or iced in one flavouring and the other half in the other flavour, which hardens when the pignolata is ready to be served. Each pastry serves several people, and is meant to be cut into small pieces when served. In Sicily, this dessert was made for Carnevale, the last celebration before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.
Pignolata can be also made of small portions of fried pastry, like large pearls, in a hot honey sauce, with chopped almonds or hazelnuts. Before serving, they are set on a plate, as a crown, with chopped nuts sprinkled over the top.
See also
*
Struffoli
*
Croquembouche
*
List of doughnut varieties
References
{{pastries
Cuisine of Calabria
Cuisine of Sicily
Italian desserts
Italian pastries
Messina
Cuisine of Messina
Carnival foods