Cuccidati
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Cook:
Serves: Many
Ingredients
  • FILLING
  • 10 ounces - 1 pound chopped walnuts
  • 8 - 10 ounces chopped hazelnuts
  • 8 - 10 ounces chopped almonds
  • 40 ounces dried figs
  • 30 ounces (2 large boxes) dark raisins
  • 24 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • DOUGH
  • 12 cups flour
  • 12 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 bars softened margarine
  • 12 eggs
  • 6 teaspoons vanilla
Process
  1. FILLING
  2. Roast chopped nuts in oven for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Be careful not to burn nuts. Set nuts aside to cool. Soak figs in warm water until soft. Drain softened figs. Remove stems and cut in quarters. Grind figs and raisins in food processor. Bring 4 cups water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Mix sugar water into fig and raisin mixture. Allow mixture to cool and then add cooled roasted nuts. When mixture is completely cool, stir in chocolate. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Let stand at room temperature for at least a couple of hours before assembling the cookies. It will be easier to handle.
  3. DOUGH
  4. Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add bars of margarine and mix until the dough is crumbly. Beat eggs and vanilla. Add eggs and vanilla to dry ingredients little by little while working the dough. Work the dough until it forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. A small amount of milk can be added if the dough seems dry. I mix the dough by hand, but a food processor can be used. I wrap the dough in saran wrap and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
  5. ASSEMBLY
  6. Roll the dough into long strips about 2 inches wide. Place filling along strips of dough. Fold sides of dough up and pinch to close. Cut strips into desired shapes. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 to 375 for a total of 20 minutes. Bake for 10 minutes on the middle rack and for another ten minutes on the top rack. Dust with confectioner's sugar before serving.
  7. This recipe makes a lot of cookies, so you might want to make only a half or a third of this amount.
Recipe by Scordo.com - Italian Food Recipes and Lifestyle at http://www.scordo.com/calabria/cuccidati-sicilian-fig-cookies.html