Chiacchiere (Italian fried pastries)

Chiacchiere are delicious Italian fried pastries made with sweet and aromatic dough cut into thin ribbons and fried until crispy. A popular and traditional recipe for carnival season!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 Tablespoons Lard (or butter)
• 2 1/2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 1 Tablespoon Grappa (see notes)
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
• Oil for frying (as needed)
• Confectioner's sugar (for dusting)
• 1 Pinch of salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Make the dough ---
2. 2Place the flour on a working surface and add the baking powder, sugar, and salt. Make a well and crack the eggs.
3. 3Add vanilla extract and then pour the grappa. With a fork, combine the ingredients in the middle.
4. 4Add the pork lard and using a spatula start mixing the ingredients just until combined.
5. 5Knead for about 15 minutes or until you achieve a smooth and elastic dough. NOTE: You can also make the dough in a stand mixer.*
6. 6Make a ball, wrap it with plastic wrap, and leave it to rest for 1 hour.
7. 7--- Roll & Cut ---
8. 8Lightly flour a working surface and roll the dough into a thin sheet (about 3 mm/ 0,40″).
9. 9Cut the dough with a fluted ravioli wheel into a large rectangle about 18×7″ (45x18cm).
10. 10Cut that rectangle longwise in two parts, obtaining two strips of dough.
11. 11Cut each strip into 8 rectangles, making 16 pastries in total from the dough. Make two small cuts longwise in the middle of each piece.
12. 12--- Fry ---
13. 13Heat a good amount of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the chiacchiere 3-4 at a time until crispy and golden.
14. 14Place them on a lined paper plate to drain the excess oil.
15. 15Transfer to a serving place, dust with confectioner's sugar, and serve.