Cavallucci
{{Short description|Italian Christmas pastry}}
{{Other|Cavallucci (surname)}}
{{Italics title}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Cavallucci
| image = 2017-06-22 Siena 15 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| alternate_name =
| country = Italy
| creator =
| course =
| type = Pastry
| served =
| main_ingredient = Anise seeds, almonds, candied fruits, coriander, flour, Tuscan millefiori honey
| variations =
}}
Cavallucci are an Italian Christmas pastry made with anise, walnuts, candied fruits, coriander, and flour. They are Sienese in origin, and the name translates approximately to 'little horses'.{{cite web | url = http://ifood.tv/european/cavallucci/about | title = Cavallucci | publisher = ifood.tv | accessdate = 16 December 2014}} The chewy pastries are similar to a cookie or biscuit and traditionally use Tuscan millefiori honey as an essential ingredient in the dough.
History
File:Cavallucci (24190614015).jpg
The pastries were originally imprinted with the image of a horse (cavalli is the Italian term for 'horses').{{cite web | url = http://www.ciaoitalia.com/seasons/13/1323/horsemens-cookies | title = Horsemen's Cookies | publisher = Ciao Italia | first = Mary Ann | last = Esposito | accessdate = 16 December 2014}} They are a version of a pastry which is traceable to the reign of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492), when they were called "biriquocoli".{{cite web | url = http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/site/en/local-products/Christmas-cakes-and-sweets-in-Tuscany/ | title = Christmas cakes and sweets in Tuscany | website = Turismo in Toscana | publisher = Regione Toscana | accessdate = 14 December 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141216093942/http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/site/en/local-products/Christmas-cakes-and-sweets-in-Tuscany/ | archive-date = 16 December 2014 | url-status = dead }}
Many hypotheses are associated with the origin of its name. According to the most popular version of the story, cavallucci were served to travelers on horseback as a source of nourishment for long trips. Another speculation is that postal workers who delivered mail over long distances ate the pastries on a regular basis. Additionally surmised is that these sweets were the usual snack of servants who worked in horse stables of rich Italian aristocrats in Siena, a city which gained its fame for horse racing.
Serving
The pastry is often paired with sweet dessert wines, such as Vin Santo, and dipped into the wine before being eaten.
See also
{{Portal|Italy|Food}}
References
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External links
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- [http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/dessert-cakes-cookies/cavallucci-morsetti-siena.aspx Cavallucci (o morsetti) di Siena] Retrieved 26 April 2013
- [http://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/cavallucci Cavallucci: Local Recipe in Tuscany, Italy] Retrieved 26 April 2013