Chiacchere- A typical Italian fried treat enjoyed during the holidays. Chiacchiere are found in different places in Italy during the famous Carnevale festivities! These fried treats are made using flour, sugar, olive oil and often with a pinch of salt. The dough is rolled into thin strips and then deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown and crunchy.
What does Chiacchiere mean?
Chiacchiere is actually one of my favorite Italian words. It means, "chit-chat", or better yet, "gossip". It's a funny name given to something that is not that hard to make and is so good to eat.
What are Chiacchiere?
Chiacchiere are strips of fried sweet dough that puffs up when dropped in hot oil and then results in a crispy and soft Italian treat. Typically topped with powdered sugar.
What is carnevale?
It is Carnevale time in Italy! Carnevale in Italy is what is most commonly known in America as mardi gras. Carnevale is celebrated in Italy and in many countries all over the world the 40 days before Easter. Carnevale is the the big party before Ash Wednesday and Lent. It happens to be Italy's biggest festival and lasts for weeks!
What are the other names of Italian fried dough for Carnevale?
Depending on which part of Italy you are in, they may be called: crostoli, cenci, bugie, cioffe, sfrappole, fiochetti, frappe, and even galani. My Calabrian in-laws do call them chiacchiere.
It is a sweet treat that goes back to the days of the ancient Romans and they were called frictilia. Frictilia were enjoyed in ancient Roman days to celebrate the end of winter. They made their dough by frying in in pork fat and they made a lot of them, with the goal of having them last unti Easter.
During the same months in which Carnevale is celebrated today, Romans used to prepare frictilia to celebrate the end of winter.
Although they are typically prepared for Carnevale they are also commonly served at Christmas, Easter and special occasions like baptisms and weddings.
What ingredients do you need to make Chiacchiere?
- eggs
- granulated sugar
- extra virgin olive oil
- dry white wine grappa, or rum or even brandy or even orange juice
- all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- Oil for frying
How to make Chiacchiere?
- In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat egg and egg yolk with the sugar at medium speed until pale in color.
- Add the sugar, salt, olive oil and dry white wine; beat until combined.
- Slowly add in the flour a little bit at a time and mix on low speed until combined.
- Remove the dough from the mixer and place on a clean counter.
- Begin kneading the dough. Add more flour a little at a time if it is too sticky.
- Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cut dough into 4 pieces and cover in plastic wrap. Chill dough for about one hour.
- When dough is ready to work with, take out the first portion from the refrigerator.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface (counter or pastry board)to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
- Using fluted pastry wheel, cut your dough into long strips, 3 to 4cm (1.5in) wide and then cut every strip into 10cm (4in) rectangles.
- Continue rolling and cutting the rest of the dough.
- Line rimmed baking sheet with three layers of paper towels (to drain excess oil). Fill deep saucepan with oil; heat oil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and fry them a few at a time.
- Fry until lightly golden one one side, then carefully flip over and fry the other side until lightly golden.
- Remove the pastry strips with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel lined cookie sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining strips of dough.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Fun facts about Carnevale in Italy
Carnevale is not only a time to celebrate and is a festival that last weeks, but also a time to enjoy amazing food. During the carnival in Umbria, for instance you may taste struffoli, a sweet typical of Perugia, made with honey, sugar and candied fruits. The cicerchiata is another typical Umbrian recipe.
Like struffoli, cicerchiata is a traditional Umbrian sweet, but has been wrongly considered Abruzzian for a long time. It is made with small dough balls, dipped in orange honey and garnished with candied fruit and sugared almonds.
These are beautiful masks I saw in Venice this summer...the colors are gorgeous!!!
Carnevale is celebrated all over beautiful Italy, but there are some cities that have very special celebrations: Cento, Viareggio, Venice. In those cities you will find the more elaborate festivities. Verona has the Bacanal del Gnoco, a party that is from the time of the Middle Ages!
What other sweets are eaten during Carnevale in Italy?
Some sweets you will find in Italy (besides Chiacchiere):
- Fritelle-fried dough made with apples that is rolled in sugar as soon as they're ready.
- I happen to really love the chiacchiere (also known with several regional names, from frappe to bugie), light puff pastry deep fried and covered in confectioner's sugar, often filled with jam or chocolate.
- Another treat popular during carnevale time are the castagnole. They are made with flour, eggs, butter and sugar, and deep fried. Castagnole, like chiacchiere, are often filled with custard or cream. After the puffs of dough are deep friend they are then tossed in confectioner's sugar. Are you hungry yet?!?
Tips to make the best Chiacchiere
- I prepared these by hand using a rolling pin and rolling the dough quite thin can be a bit of a workout but you can also roll the pastry dough with a pasta machine.
- Along with the various given names these sweet fried pastry strips are also cut and shaped in various ways, squares, rectangles, diamonds, thin strips tied in loose knots and of course, the bow shape that I’ve prepared.
- Chiacchiere cook quickly so it's important to make sure you're flipping them over frequently for even browning. Fry a few at once and never overcrowd the pan in order to achieve optimal results.
- To prevent your dough from drying out, be sure to keep it covered at all stages - whether it's in unrolled form, or has been cut into strips. Keeping the rolled sheets and chiacchiere pieces well-covered will ensure a smooth baking experience!
- Chiacchiere can be prepared with a variety of alcoholic beverages, including grappa, brandy, marsala or white wine.
FAQ'S
Yes! Just defrost and add powdered sugar before serving
Fry the chiacchiere for a few seconds on each side until they are a light golden color. Make sure to adjust the heat of the oil so that it does not burn them.
Chiacchiere can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container at room temperature. If you plan on storing chiacchiere for an extended period of time, it is best to freeze them.
Don't say I didn't warn you that no matter what you size you make them, or what you call them, chiacchiere are totally irresistible!! Go ahead and try one! You will find that that first one will be the start of something delicious and dangerous! Impossible to eat only one!
Some other lovely Chiacchiere to check out:
Chiacchiere (orange flavored)
I love the shape of this one from Labna.
Some other Italian desserts to enjoy:
Easter Chocolate Chip and Ricotta Ciambellone
Italian Easter Meat Pie-Pizza Gaina
Sicilian Savoiardi Cookies-Ladyfingers
Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)
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Chiacchiere ( Italian Carnival Fried Pastries)
Ingredients
- 1 whole egg and 1 egg yolk 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 3/4 Tablespoons dry white wine grappa, or rum or even brandy or even orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups 200 grams all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat egg and egg yolk with the sugar at medium speed until pale in color.
- Add the sugar, salt, olive oil and dry white wine; beat until combined.
- Slowly add in the flour a little bit at a time and mix on low speed until combined.
- Remove the dough from the mixer and place on a clean counter.
- Begin kneading the dough. Add more flour a little at a time if it is too sticky.
- Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cut dough into 4 pieces and cover in plastic wrap. Chill dough for about one hour.
- When dough is ready to work with, take out the first portion from the refrigerator.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface (counter or pastry board)to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
- Using fluted pastry wheel, cut your dough into long strips, 3 to 4cm (1.5in) wide and then cut every strip into 10cm (4in) rectangles.
- Continue rolling and cutting the rest of the dough.
- Line rimmed baking sheet with three layers of paper towels (to drain excess oil). Fill deep saucepan with oil; heat oil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and fry them a few at a time.
- Fry until lightly golden one one side, then carefully flip over and fry the other side until lightly golden.
- Remove the pastry strips with slotted spoon and drain on paper towel lined cookie sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining strips of dough.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
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