Homemade Crostoli

Making Crostoli - The Easy Way

Delicious Crostoli

I posted this previously on 'Bright Dinner Delights' but seeing as though Merryn's Menu is now my signature blog space, and Crostoli is such an important part of our life, I have transferred this updated recipe to here. 

Crostoli is a wonderfully light, fried Italian pastry.   Sprinkled generously with icing sugar - it really tastes as good as it looks. First introduced to Crostoli by my mother-in-law Mrs G who made it for special occasions, or to occupy a rainy day.  I have very fond memories of diantily nibbling on Crostoli whilst sipping an espresso, iced coffee or affogato with honeycomb with my extended family.

While it was often offered, and I was occasionally in residence when it was made I had never personally made this sweet treat.  When the good Mr and Mrs G first visited us in Sydney, after our second child was born I asked that now we had been married for twelve years, perhaps she would be kind enough to share her secret Crostoli recipe with me.  'Don't you have it?' she replied, almost sincerely,  'oh, but of course, here it is'.  I still have her treasured hand written recipe in my favourite Italian cook book.

View 1. Crostoli dusted with icing sugar

It is the wonderful family gatherings that make great memories and Crostoli is a big part of my in-laws food traditions.  Easter, Christmas, weekends, rainy days, birthdays or family gatherings always called for Crostoli.  It is enjoyable to make and purely delicious to enjoy.

When we visited last year, our parting gift was a big bag of crostoli which was almost entirely devoured on the first day.  Certain foods we relate to specific people and good food is always a blessing.

Crostoli is not hard to make, but definitely easier with a pasta roller than with a rolling pin - my first attempt! Attach your pasta roller to the kitchen counter top.  I use a little wooden wedge between the bottom of the benchtop and the tightened screw arm to prevent any damage to the underside of the counter top. 

View 2. Pasta roller attached to the kitchen bench

View 3. Place the flours and sugar into a large mixing bowl

View 4. Add the eggs, vegetable oil and brandy.  Add the grated zest of one lemon.

View 5.  Mix together by hand, then knead until you have a firm dough ball

At this time, if you have washing to hang out or something you really have to do, it is okay to cover and place in the refrigerator.  Simply bring out for 20 minutes prior to rolling.

View 6.  Starting with the largest setting, roll dough balls, the size of golf balls through the pasta machine

View 7. Place the sheets of rolled dough onto a lightly floured surface. It is quicker to run the whole batch through on the largest setting, then reduce the machine thickness by two twists and run them all through again

View 8.  Keep adding plain flour as needed to keep the dough supple and not sticking to your work surface.  When all dough strips have been rolled through the thinnest setting, it is ready to cut into strips.

These can be covered with a tea towel if not all rolled out in quick succession.

   

 View 9.  I use a fluted roller for a nice edge and twist 1 1/2 cm strips into rounds, bows or simply, strips

View 10.  Heat some vegetable oil, enough to deep fry in a large pan, fryer or wok to about 120 degrees celsius.  When you drop a bread cube in it should start sizzling gently,  immediately.

Gently drop in about 10 crostoli, fry for 1 minute then turn over and fry the underside for 30 seconds more

 When still pale but a light golden colour, remove with tongs and drain on kitchen paper.  The Crostoli will harden upon cooling.  If you are called away, cover the dough with a tea towel to keep moist.  When you have fried all of them, place some on a plate and sprinkle with sifted icing sugar.  Brew the coffee and enjoy!

 Only put icing sugar on servings as Crostoli will stay fresh in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.

Mrs G's Crostoli

3 cups plain flour

2 cups self raising flour

1 cup sugar

6 large free-range eggs

1 small shot glass vegetable oil (50 ml)

1 small shot glass brandy (50 ml)

grated zest of 1 lemon

Mix flours and sugar together.  Add eggs, oil, brandy and lemon zest.  Mix to a soft dough and knead for 2 - 5 mins until pliable.   Divide into golf ball sized balls and flour your work surface.
Attach pasta maker to bench and turn to the thickest setting.  Run each small dough ball through and place on bench whilst you work on the next one.  Turn the pasta roller to the next setting and run each strip through again.  Keep flouring your bench.
Adjust the pasta maker to the next thinnest size and continue to run each strip through.  Cut the dough strips in half if getting too long to handle.  When they have gone through the thinnest, or even the second thinnest setting they are ready to be cut into strips.  Twist into bows, or loose round shapes or simply leave straight.
Heat vegetable oil for deep frying up to about 120 degrees, when a cube of bread dropped into the oil sizzles immediately then the oil is ready.  
Drop into the oil gently, 12 strips, fry for 1 minute then turn over and fry the other side for about 30 seconds or until a pale golden brown colour.  Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels.  Store in air tight containers when cool and serve dusted with icing sugar.

* For a variation, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon instead of the icing sugar.
   Buon appetito!