Taralli with Pepper

Taralli are an Italian snack food most popular in the southern region of Italy. Taralli can be made sweet or savoury. Plain or savoury taralli are great when paired with a glass of wine, and dunked too! The recipe I am sharing today is from Puglia, right from my roots, and are made during the celebration of Easter.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup warm water
3 cups flour
1 cup semolina flour
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 - 3/4 cup olive oil

Place warm water in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast and sugar in water, give a quick stir and let the yeast rise. In a stand up mixer, place flour, semolina, pepper, salt and stir. Add wine, olive oil and yeast mixture. Mix until a ball is formed. Place on wooden flat surface and kneed for about 5 minutes. Cover dough with plastic wrap and let rise for at least one hour. Cut dough into 6 pieces. Take first piece and roll into 1/2 inch cylinder. Cut into 1 inch pieces and roll into a fine cylinder. Bring ends together press with fingers and form a circle. Repeat until dough is finished keeping unused dough covered.

Bring pot of water to boil. Place 10 of the taralli in the water and let cook until they float to the top. Remove and place on tea towel for a few minutes and then place on cookie sheet. Repeat until all taralli have been boiled.

Bake taralli at 350 for about 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!