Tortelli di Natale

These small cakes are a traditional pastry for Christmas from Bologna southward. Known by many different names, they have a history in almost every region, especially southern Italy and Sicily. Though there are subtle variations on name and ingredients, the idea remains the same — a thin dough pocket enclosing a chestnut or chick-pea filling flavored with chocolate and raisins or candied fruit. They may be dusted with confectioners’ sugar, as in this recipe, or drizzled with warmed honey or