Chiacchiere (Campania)

Chiacchiere are popular Italian Carnival sweets with somewhat disputed origin—bugie, cenci, frappe, sfrappole, galani, frittole, lattughe and crostoli are just a few of the names by which they are known in the different regions of Italy, although the basic ingredients and quantities are always the same. According to a Neapolitan legend, they were invented when Queen Margherita of Savoy was entertaining her guests and she wanted to offer them something to nibble, so the court chef, Raffaele Esposito prepared these sweets, naming them chiacchiere, in honor of the Queen's "chitchat" with her guests. In Campania, chiacchiere are traditionally served with sanguinaccio, a rich, sweet sauce originally made with fresh pork blood, milk custard, and melted chocolate; but the modern variety is often made without blood.