Italian🍰 Sweets & drinks

Sicilian Cutumè - Traditional Fried Pastries with Orange Honey

Name: Sicilian Cutumè - Traditional Fried Pastries with Orange Honey
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 200 g semolina flour; 250 g ricotta (sheep's milk); 2 eggs; 30 g sugar; ~1½ tsp ground cinnamon; ~3 tbsp semolina flour; ~1 cup peanut oil; 200 g honey; 1 orange; ½ orange juice

⏱ 45 min

Cutumè are ancient Sicilian sweets rooted in rural tradition, once prepared for celebrations or as gifts for guests and neighbors. These small pastries are made from ricotta, eggs, semolina flour, and cinnamon, shaped by hand and fried until golden and light. The ricotta provides softness, while orange zest and juice steeped in warm honey add that citrus note that captures the essence of Sicily. Once immersed in the warm honey, cutumè become glossy, delectable morsels to enjoy one after another—simple sweets that tell the story of village celebrations and the joy of sharing.

Adapted from a video by Casa Pappagallo

La Ricetta Siciliana che Non Conosce Nessuno | Cutumè Tradizionale

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

semolina flour200 g
ricotta (sheep's milk)250 g
eggsmedium2
sugar30 g
ground cinnamonto taste, approximately 1-2 tsp~1½ tspest.
semolina flourfor dusting work surface and shaping~3 tbspest.
peanut oilfor frying~1 cupest.

Steps

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1
Place well-drained ricotta in a large bowl. It is important to remove as much moisture as possible from the ricotta beforehand so it drains well and is not too sticky.
2
Add sugar, semolina flour, eggs, and ground cinnamon to taste. The cinnamon is the characteristic flavor of this dish.
3
Mix everything together until you have a well-formed dough that is not too sticky.
4
Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
5
Shape the dough into small balls, approximately 10g each. Use a scale for consistency. Dust your hands and work surface with semolina flour to prevent sticking.
6
Lightly flatten each ball, then poke a hole through the center with your finger to create a ring or donut shape. Everyone has their own technique.
7
Heat peanut oil in a deep pan. Fry the shaped pastries until golden and crispy.
8
Place honey in a saucepan and turn on the heat. Squeeze fresh orange juice into the honey and stir.
9
Bring the honey and juice mixture to a boil, then remove from heat.
10
Place the fried pastries in a bowl and pour the warm honey mixture over them. Add fresh orange zest for aroma and flavor.
11
Allow the pastries to cool and soak in the honey. Turn them frequently so they absorb the honey syrup evenly. The longer they sit, the more flavor they absorb.
12
Once cooled, the cutumè are ready to serve and enjoy. They are best served at a warm temperature.

Sicilian Cutumè - Traditional Fried Pastries with Orange Honey

Ingredients

Steps

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