How to make trulli biscuits (taralli)

I quite often wondered why I always received such puzzled looks when talking about trulli biscuits - I just assumed that no-one knew what I was talking about. But it wasn't until I typed it into Google and nothing came up, that I realised I was talking abount an entirely new thing.

So I looked through scores of pics of Italian bread baskets and finally found the name - taralli. Taralli are circular bread stick-type things, typical to Southern Italy. In Puglia they are particularly small and circular, unlike Naples for example where they're larger and thinner. They go fantastically with a pre-dinner drink (aperitivo) or to accompany a meal. I found a simple recipe by Anita's Italy and I thought I'd try it. 

Traditional Taralli Recipe from Puglia

Cooking time: 140mins including prep. Serves around 100 taralli depending on size.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (1 lb, 500 grams) flour
• 1 tsp (10 grams) salt
• 2/3 cup (150 ml) extra-virgin olive oil (we used our very own oil from Trullo Carlotta!)
• 1 cup (200 ml) dry white wine

Cooking Directions

• Mix the flour and salt. Add the oil and wine, and mix with a fork until the dough forms into a rough mass.
• Knead the dough for roughly 5 minutes.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for 15-30 minutes.
• Create small sausages of dough -  about ½ inch (1 cm) in diameter and 4” long (10 cm).
• Shape each one into a ring, lightly pressing the ends together. 
• Set aside the taralli rings on a wooden board and cover.
• In the meantime, bring a large pot of water to boil.
• Put a few of the taralli rings into the boiling water, and take them out when they float to the surface. Place them on a cloth to cool.
• Tip: Try not to plop one tarallo on top of another when dropping them into the pot, and if they stick to the bottom, give them a gentle nudge with the slotted spoon.
• bake the taralli in a preheated oven at 375°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes, until golden.
• Remove and cool on racks.

Prego!

To see the full version of the recipe, please click here.

Trullo Carlotta is lovely family-owned villa in Castellana Grotte, Puglia. To find out more about Trullo Carlotta including key info, features and facilities and prices please visit our website www.trullocarlotta.com.

For all holiday enquiries, contact Caroline by email: trullocarlotta@gmail.com or phone: +441423 871741.