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    Home » Recipes

    November 11, 2018 Recipes

    Biscotti di San Martino- St. Martin's Cookies

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    Pan' e vino, e San Martino: Bread and Wine, and Saint Martin.  You may hear this  phrase in Sicily (especially in Palermo)in reference to Feast Day of San Martino. He happens to be the patron saint of wine and wine making! On November 11th, you enjoy biscotti di San Martino by dipping them in Moscato (an Italian sweet wine) or any new wine (I love my in-laws homemade wine!).

     

    The story goes that San Martino became a monk after his work finished of a Roman soldier. San Martino was traveling on a cold, rainy day in November on horseback and encountered a half-naked beggar. San Martino cut his cloak in half and gave one half to the cold man. 


    As he continued on his journey, the sun came out and the temperature became warmer. This is where the "Estate di San Martino" (The Summer of San Martino)comes from.

    San Martino and the so-called "summer of San Martino" in Palermo are celebrated with cakes and wine.  It is actually celebrated in different parts of Italy with sagras (small food festivals) that are all about the chestnuts of autumn and the new wines.  Not too many Italians probably know the history of the saint, but they will enjoy a reason to celebrate with delicious food and great wine on November 11th.

     

     

     

    Biscotti di San Martino
    Biscotti di San Martino
    In Palermo, November 11th is to celebrate San Martino of the rich. The following Sunday is to celebrate San Martino of the poor. And those that really love their sweets will find an excuse to celebrate on both days! There are different kinds of sweets that are made. There are these simple cookies that are perfect to dip in new wine or even your hot coffee (I enjoy it with my espresso!). There are more decadent sweets that are filled with fresh ricotta cheese and some are even beautifully decorated.

     

    My Sicilian father left me quite a collection of his Italian and Sicilian proverbs and quotes! Here are a few about San Martino.

     

    Italian Proverbs for San Martino

    • Per San Martino castagne e buon vino [For St. Martin's chestnuts and good wine.]
    • Da San Martino l'inverno è in cammino [From St. Martin's winter is on the way.]
    • Per San Martino nespole e vino [For St. Martin's comquats and wine.]
    • A San Martino si lascia l'acqua e si beve il vino [At St. Martin's you leave water and drink wine.]

     

    I have seen recipes where they do an egg wash and sprinkle on sesame seeds before baking. My kids aren't too crazy about sesame seeds, so I kept mine simple. I also probably added a dash more of cinnamon and less fennel seeds than is typical so it would be something they would enjoy, as well.
     
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    Biscotti di San Martino-St. Martin's Cookies

    An Italian fennel cookie made for the San Martino holiday. A perfect fall cookie with a touch of anise and cinnamon.
    Prep Time1 hr
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: biscotti, Cookies, San Martino
    Servings: 18 cookies
    Author: Lora

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups of flour
    • dash of salt
    • 1 packet yeast
    • 1/2 cup warm water
    • 10 Tablespoons shortening
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon fennel or anise seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Let the yeast dissolve in the water with about a teaspoon of sugar. It's ready when it bubbles up.
    • Add the flour, shortening, sugar and nice seeds to the drum of a food processor. Pulse together a few times.
    • Add in the water with the yeast and pulse until it combines. Add a little more water (about a teaspoon at a time)if it's not reaching a workable consistency. You don't want the dough to be too wet.
    • Dump the dough onto the counter (if it's a little too wet, add a bit of flour until you achieve a workable consistency).
    • Knead the dough together until it's smooth. Place in upside down in an oiled boil. Swish it around right side up. Cover and let it rise for 45 minutes. While dough is resting, heat the oven to 400F.
    • Prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
    • Cut the dough into 18 pieces (each piece should weigh 50 grams). Cover the cut pieces with a tea towel. Start working one piece at a time. Roll a piece into a strip about 8 inches long and shape into a snail shape. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat process with the rest of the dough pieces.
    • Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until a nice golden brown.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Frank | Memorie di Angelina says

      November 18, 2018 at 12:59 pm

      How very pretty! And the flavors sounds wonderful, too. Unfortunately it's nothing like summer here this last autumn. In fact, it seems that winter has made an early arrival. I just we need to call back San Martino!

      Reply

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    lora and gabby

    Welcome to our Italian kitchen! We are Lora and Gabriella, the mother-daughter team behind Savoring Italy. With more than 30+ years of experience in the kitchen, Lora has had a great advantage – receiving guidance from both her husband who is an executive chef/restaurant owner and her mother who is a renowned private chef. 

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