Desserts

little birds of Saint Anthony

⏱ 45 min👤 4 pp★★☆☆☆

In Abruzzo, during the festivities of Saint Anthony, a sweet tradition comes to life with the little birds of Saint Anthony, a delicacy that celebrates the bond between popular culture and home cooking. These pastries, shaped like little birds, are made with a soft dough based on flour, extra virgin olive oil, and white wine, which gives them a light and fragrant texture. The real magic, however, lies in the filling: a combination of jam and almonds, enriched with the scent of oranges, providing a perfect citrus touch for the palate. The preparation requires a certain skill, as each pastry is adorned with engravings that resemble the feathers of birds, making them not only delicious but also a true feast for the eyes. Perfect to accompany a coffee during Sunday lunch or as a sweet treat to share with family, the little birds of Saint Anthony represent a festive moment that unites tradition and flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

  • extra virgin olive oil 500 gr di olio extravergine d'oliva (per la pasta)
  • White wine mezzo litro di vino bianco (per la pasta
  • Flour bianca (per la pasta)
  • jam marmellata di uva candita con cacao (per il ripieno)
  • almonds tostate e tritate finemente (per il ripieno)
  • oranges scorsa di arancia grattugiata (per il ripieno)
  • liquor a piacere
Nutritional values 680 kcal / serving

Protein
8g
Carbohydrates
65g
Fat
42g
Fiber
3g

* approximate values per serving

Information
45 minutes Total time
Serves 4 persons
★★☆☆☆ Medium difficulty

Preparation

Using the described ingredients, prepare a fairly soft dough, then divide it into small balls. Flatten one ball of dough and place a bit of filling in the center, then roll it up and shape the dough into an inverted 'S'. Using scissors, 'cut' the dough superficially to create the appearance of feathers, with the head at the top and the tail at the bottom. Bake the pastries in a hot oven (200°C) for about 30 minutes.

Tips
To achieve a soft and easily workable dough, make sure not to add too much flour during preparation. This will ensure that the uccelletti di Sant'Antonio are light and fragrant.
Trivia
The name 'uccelletti di Sant'Antonio' comes from the tradition of preparing these sweets in honor of the saint, who is often depicted with birds, symbols of freedom and protection in popular culture.