Canestrelli (Piedmont)

The Piedmontese version of canestrelli is a waffle-shaped hard cookie made with white flour, butter, eggs, and lemon zest, named after canesterlè, a type of iron press in which they were baked. The small ball of dough was placed in the middle, pressed and then baked on the fire until golden brown and crunchy. Nowadays, the basic dough is often additionally enriched with rum, vermouth, marsala wine, cloves, nutmeg, or vanilla.