Recipe: Vecchiarelle (honey-coated fritters - stick shaped) (Italian)

VECCHIARELLE (HONEY-COATED FRITTERS)

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cake compressed yeast dissolved in 3 tbsp lukewarm water
1 pinch salt
vegetable oil (for deep frying)
1/2 cup thin honey

Sift the flour onto a work surface and make a well in the center. Add the yeast and salt and work together with the fingertips. Add lukewarm water gradually, kneading until a smooth, pliable dough is obtained. Shape into a ball and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with a little flour and cover with a damp cloth. Leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

Knead the dough on a floured surface, then shape into small sticks, about 1/2 inch thick and 2 1/2 inches long.

Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer and deep-fry the sticks, a few at a time, until golden brown. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper and keep warm while frying the remainder.

Put the honey in a saucepan and heat gently until it has melted stirring constantly. Dip the sticks into the honey to coat and serve immediately.

Servings: 4-6
Source: The Encyclopedia of Italian Cooking