Chiacchiere (Italian Carnival Fried Pastries)

Chiacchiere (Italian Carnival Fried Pastries)

**Ingredients:**

– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
– 1 tablespoon grappa or white wine (optional)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 pinch of salt
– Zest of 1 lemon
– Vegetable oil (for frying)
– Powdered sugar (for dusting)

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Dough:**
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt.
– Create a well in the center and add the eggs, softened butter, grappa (or white wine), vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
– Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes.

2. **Rest the Dough:**
– Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

3. **Roll Out the Dough:**
– Divide the dough into smaller portions to make it easier to handle.
– Using a rolling pin or a pasta machine, roll out each portion of dough very thinly (about 1/8 inch thick).

4. **Cut the Dough:**
– Using a pastry cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into strips or diamond shapes. You can also make small cuts in the center of each piece for decoration.

5. **Fry the Pastries:**
– In a large frying pan, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
– Fry the dough pieces in small batches until they are golden and crispy, about 1-2 minutes per side.
– Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried pastries to a paper towel-lined tray to drain any excess oil.

6. **Dust with Powdered Sugar:**
– Once the pastries are cool, dust them generously with powdered sugar.

7. **Serve:**
– Arrange the Chiacchiere on a serving platter and enjoy!

These crispy, sweet treats are perfect for celebrations or just as a delightful snack. Enjoy your Chiacchiere!