Deep Fried Italian Pastries Recipes

CROSTOLI PASTRIES

Steps:

• With an electric mixer on high speed, beat together salt, sugar, and eggs until very fluffy. Stir in evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and rum. Gradually mix in flour; knead well with dough hook until dough begins to blister, about 10 minutes. (If dough is still sticking to bowl after 5 minutes, mix in 2 tablespoons of additional flour, 1/2 tablespoon at a time.) Remove dough, and cover with plastic wrap; set aside 20 minutes.
• Pour oil into a deep fryer or Dutch oven to a depth of 2 inches, and heat over medium heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Separate dough into small portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough portions until very thin. Cut into long, narrow strips (about 6 inches by 1 inch). With a sharp knife, make a slit in the center of each strip, and draw one end through the slit.
• Fry in hot oil until puffy, blistered, and very light golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to paper towels to cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container.

ITALIAN SPECIAL SWEET FRIED RAVIOLI COOKIES

Steps:

• Melt semisweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl in the microwave. Stir until smooth. Set aside to cool. Heat the 2 cups shortening in a large, heavy skillet or deep fryer.
• In a small bowl, stir together the pureed garbanzo beans, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in the dates and nuts. Blend with the cooled chocolate. Chill while you make the dough.
• In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until fluffy. Stir in the 1/4 cup melted shortening. Sift together the flour, sugar, and salt, and fold into the egg mixture. Add extra flour if necessary to make the dough easy to handle.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into 3 inch circles using a cookie cutter or a large drinking glass. Place 1 teaspoon of the chocolate filling mixture onto the center of each cookie, fold over into a half circle, and pinch to seal.
• Fry cookies in 1 1/2 inches of hot oil, turning once. Cookies should be light brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Refrigerate when cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.

ITALIAN SFRAPPOLE FRIED COOKIES

Steps:

• Place the flour on a wooden board and make a well in the center.
• Break the eggs into the well and beat lightly with a fork.
• Add the butter, sugar, rum and wine and mix thoroughly with the eggs.
• Using your hands, gradually incorporate the flour, starting from the inside of the well.
• Work the dough into a ball.
• Cover and refrigerate for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until 1/4 inch thick.
• Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut the dough into strips 3/4 inch wide and 6 or 7 inches long.
• Tie the strips in knots or pin in bows.
• Pour oil into a large saucepan or deep fryer until 2 inches deep.
• Heat the oil to 375°F.
• Using a slotted spoon, lower the bows a few at a time into the hot oil.
• Turn the bows while cooking.
• When golden brown on both sides, remove and drain on paper towels.
• Arrange the bows on a platter and dust with powdered sugar, or drizzle with some honey.
• Vogue Entertaining.

ZEPPOLI (ITALIAN FRIED BREAD DOUGH )

Steps:

• Heat about 3 inches of oil in a saucepan to 375°F (119°C).
• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water; set aside for 10 minutes.
• Stir the remaining 1/2 cup water into the bowl.
• Add flour, beating vigorously until a soft dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a smooth surface, and knead with greased hands until smooth.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface.
• Cover with a damp cloth.
• Let rise in a warm place until double in bulk, about 1 to 1/1/2 hours.
• Fry golf ball sizes of dough in batches until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, and eat while still hot.