When I was a little girl, my grandma used to make these for Christmas and St. Josephs Alter in March. I was never too keen on the sweet honey coating...so shed leave a bowl full of the dough that had been cut up and fried, just for me. Id pop them like peanuts. They were so good. So, imagine those golden brown nuggets without the sticky sweet coating on them...thats what I loved. But, if you like sweetness, be my guest and coat them like the picture. Grandma never put candy sprinkles on them like whats shown...but, some Italians dont call them Pignolata, either! Pignolata (haystacks) Dough 4 eggs 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 ¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour (extra may be needed) Syrup ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup water zest of one large orange 1 cup orange blossom honey Vegetable oil to fry Sprinkles (optional) Instructions To make the dough In the bowl of a large mixer, beat eggs sugar, salt and oil. Sift the flour into the mix and beat on medium speed with a dough hook until you obtain a soft dough. Add more flour as needed a little at a time if the dough is too sticky. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it until it is smooth. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into 8 pieces and roll into ropes (about ½ inch thick) a little larger than a pencil. Cut each rope into ½ inch pieces. Toss a little bit of flour on the dough balls so they don’t stick while you roll the other pieces. Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan to 350 degrees F. Carefully add about 10-12 pieces of dough at a time and fry until they are evenly browned (about 3 minutes). Remove the dough pieces with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Repeat process until you fry all the pieces of dough. (this is what I was talking about...I didnt need the syrup) To make the syrup In a large skillet, bring the sugar, water and orange zest to a boil. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the honey; reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the pieces and stir to coat them evenly with the honey syrup. Cook for about 5 minutes until they obtain a nice glaze. Immediately place them on serving plate stacking them like a haystack. Use caution as they are very hot. Toss on the sprinkle (optional)
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 20:22:55 +0000
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