May 07, 2011

Zaleti - cookies to fight nostalgia





I’ve been a bit nostalgic lately. I have to be honest here. I do not feel much nostalgy for Italy. I don’t miss living there. I do miss Europe and, above all, European people. I work in an Italian immersion pre-school and some of the teachers are Italians but still...we are living in the States. The environment is different. The vibe is different. The cultural entourage is different. I adapt very easily to different cultures. I lived in three different continents and I can adapt fairly quickly. But adapting does not mean conforming. I am and I will always be and feel and foreigner. And sometimes I really get nostalgic and wish I could live without feeling a foreigner.

One thing that usually cheers me up in these moments is to bake something that belongs to my place and people. These cookies are very much so. And very much part of my childhood memories.




Zaleti
Ingredients for about 60 cookies

200 g (7 oz) all purpose-flour
50 g (1.77 oz ) corn flour
150 g (5.3 oz) butter
75 g (2.6 oz) confectioners’ sugar
2 egg yolks
5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
5 g (1 tsp) baking powder
1 pinch salt

chocolate chips and/or raisins (optional)


Method

In a medium bowl, sift the flours and cut the chilly butter in. With the tips of your fingers, gently work the butter until you obtain small buttery crumbs.

Add the sugar, the vanilla extract, the egg yolks, the baking powder and the salt. (If you decide to add chocolate chips or raisins add them now)

Quickly work the dough first with a fork and then with your hands until all the ingredients are all incorporated. The dough is similar to a pasta frolla so you need to work it quickly otherwise you will “burn” it. Wrap the dough into plastic wrap and let it cool in the refrigerator for at least half an hour.

Once the dough is chilly, preheat the oven to 350F degrees and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Take small pieces of dough at a time (keeping the rest cool in the fridge), roll them out in long thin rolls and cut small chunks of dough (about 1” long).

Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake them for about 20-25 minutes.

Let the cookies cool down completely before serving because they break down easily.


Have a sweet day!



32 comments:

  1. Well, Sara, I'm feeing nostalgic for Europe, too, and especially Italy. And you know very well I'm not Italian. :-) I cook the dishes that remind me of our trips to Europe just to transport me, even if it's temporary. Being European, it's surely tougher for you.

    I like these cookies. I love the specks of corn meal that are scattered throughout the zaleti. I've never heard of them before but I know I would enjoy them. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is soooo my type of cookie! Everything about it is appealing to my tastes, and I know this one would be right up there for my son as well!
    So what is the 3rd continent you've lived on??
    Love these Sara!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am nostalgic often too. I grew up in Ohio and am now living in Arizona...and planning the time I can finally move back! I miss family and friends, but am willing to bet that these cookies would cheer me up :) They look wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I baked these cookies last year (with raisins ;) And I lived abroad some time ago, now I am back to my home country. I know how it's like to be a foreigner, although I haven't changed the continent... Take care! Greetings from Poland :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks and sounds divine, bit like sables. I am sure it brings back wonderful memories

    ReplyDelete
  6. That second picture of those cookies makes me want to grab one because I'm about to have my first cup of coffee for the day. The little bits are the corn meal? I wouldn't put the chocolate on them (of course), but I will definitely be making these.

    Happy Mother's Day to a woman that I know is more of a mom to some children in her care than their real mothers are. I think you're amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I get nostalgic and I'm just from VA.. I can't imagine being from another country! But if there's any way to get a little bit of home it most definitely involves food. And if it's any consolation I'm glad you're here and you started this wonderful blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can definitely relate... I often find myself feeling nostalgic for back home... and when I do, I bake something from my childhood so to take me back there for at least a moment.

    The Zaletis look amazing... that photo looks like I can pick it off the screen...I wish!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ti capisco. I also miss Europe... Especially when the weekend comes.... But those cookies look awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like zaleti! I miss Italian biscotti a lot. I have to go through all sorts of hoops to get some in California and in Italy they are such an easy thing to get. Biscotti and other foods make me feel foreign. I agree with you, Sara, we can adapt but there are things that go deeper and those don't change. Our experience makes us see them clearly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think we all love cookies from our childhood...so comforting. And these cookies look so delicious...mmmm...I'd love a couple with my afternoon tea :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. delicious cookies looks wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do hope these cookies cheered you up a bit. I love making things from my childhood, it really helps bring a little comfort. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.
    -Gina-

    ReplyDelete
  14. These cookies look sooooo good! I've never had cookies like these before. Love the additon of the corn flour.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sorry you are feeling out of place here! Hopefully a few more cookies will fix it. :)

    They look sensational.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Charming cookies. A lovely touch of home.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm going to make these, but would appreciate some advice first.
    Did you use corn meal? Is that what gave your cookies that textural look?
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Those look so amazing! Not only are your pictures beautiful, but those cookies look perfect! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I couldn't agree more ... adapting does not mean conforming! I loved this post! ... and your cookies :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have never heard of these before but I am glad that you introduced these to everyone. They look and sounds amazing! A must make. Glad that baking can uplift your spirits! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. @1kimkelly: I lived in India. So Asia is my third continent :)
    @Christiane: yes those tiny bites are corn meal. They just gave a wonderful rustic touch to these cookies.
    So, yeah @quiltindaisy, I used cornmeal together with all purpose flour
    @Pola:ohhh weekends...I know, they are so different here :(
    I'm glad you all liked this recipe. I love love love these cookies. They are so simple!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think it's so sweet what Christiane wrote. Zaleti are delicious and yours look fantastic! I feel nostalgia often. Especially when I meet people from there. Sei una persona fantastica. Spero di conoscerti un giorno! xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love these cookies, with the addition of the cornmeal, and that they are from your childhood.
    i always revert to things from my childhood for comfort. Thanks for sharing, and bringing back memories!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Canada isn't culturally all that different than the US but I often feel "foreign". It's just little things, and the overall attitude. I often feel nostalgic for home and the things I grew up with. But if I could have a few of your cookies, I think I might start to miss Italy and I've never been there!

    ReplyDelete
  25. The cookies look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a delight to be introduced to a bite of your childhood. Thank you so much.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just got back from The Netherlands and Belgium and can totally see why you would feel nostalgic. Making things that remind you of home always help:) I've never had these, but I'm sure they're delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Reading your post made me miss home even more. As much as I love living here in US, a big part of me still belongs to the European life style and don't think that is going to be changed. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl ;)
    Never heard of these cookies before but sound and look great. Thanks for sharing Sara

    ReplyDelete
  29. Such a unique cookie recipe. They look scrumptious. Thanks for sharing Sara!

    ReplyDelete
  30. These cookies look so good. I'd definitely top 'em with the chocolate chips. I find raisins only go in oatmeal cookies. Thanks for sharing this. I'm glad I found your spot. :)

    I love how cooking can make me feel more connections than just with the food. I'm sure you know what I'm trying to say. I often find myself making recipes just because my momma or grandma made them and the dishes make me feel close to them.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I don't know what it's like to feel the way you feel about a place you used to live, but I can only imagine how hard it must be to live in a totally different COUNTRY. Isn't it amazing, though, how a simple cookie can bring you back, at least just for a moment? These sound great, Sarah!

    ReplyDelete
  32. These look divine - your photography is beautiful! Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.