SCALILLE: CALABRIAN CHRISTMAS HONEY FRITTERS
These traditional Calabrian “little ladders” are simple, authentic, and pure holiday magic
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Christmas Italian Recipes, Italian Cookies
Cuisine Italian
Ingredients
For the dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (½ kg)
- 3 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (50 g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon anise extract or 1 tablespoon anise liqueur
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For frying & finishing
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 cup honey, warmed
Instructions
- Prepare the egg mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together 3 whole eggs + 3 yolks with the sugar until pale and creamy. - Add the dry ingredients
Slowly add the flour, mixing continuously. Incorporate the olive oil, anise, and cinnamon.
Knead until the dough is firm and smooth. - Shape the spirals
- Cut the dough into small pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope about 10 inches long, pencil-thick.
- Wrap around your fingers or a wooden spoon handle to form a spiral, then slide off gently.
- Rest the spirals on a floured cloth for 20 minutes.
- Fry the scalille
Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
Fry in small batches, turning until golden.
Drain on paper towels. - Glaze with honey
Warm the honey and dip each fritter in, or drizzle generously on top.
Keyword scalille recipe, scaliddi, scalidde, calabrian christmas fritters, honey spirals, italian holiday desserts, calabrian sweets, fried italian pastries, authentic italian christmas recipes