Nonna Carmela Tornatore’s Ricotta-Filled Sicilian Pastries

Name: Nonna Carmela Tornatore’s Ricotta-Filled Sicilian Pastries (Sciauni)
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 cup (240 ml) white wine, such as Chablis; 1 cup (240 ml) white wine, such as Chablis; 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose or 00 flour, plus more for dusting; 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose or 00 flour, plus more for dusting; ½ cup (100 g) shortening; 16 ounces (454 g) ricotta impastata; ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 6 tablespoons (68 g) mini semisweet chocolate chips; 1 large egg white; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water; Oil, for frying (use any oil you like); Sugar, for sprinkling

Sciauni

Preparation info

Yield: about
17
pastries

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr

Appears in

Cooking with Nonna

By Rossella Rago

Published 2018

About

Sciauni are sweet, fried calzones, typical of eastern Sicily. Every year, Nonna Carmela and her daughter fill them with a sheep’s milk ricotta mixed with a little sugar, cinnamon, and a few semisweet chocolate chips to keep the flavors of Sicily alive in their home.

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup (240 ml) white wine, such as Chablis
¼ cup (

Europe
Italy
Sicily
Pie
Vegetarian
Easter

Method

To make the dough: In a small bowl, whisk together the wine and water. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour and shortening. With a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the shortening into the flour. Add the wine-water mixture, mixing with a fork until absorbed.
Flour a work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead the dough with your han