Mustazzoli Pantelleria

Mustazzoli from Pantelleria are festive cookies filled with semolina and almonds. The preparation is long and takes some skill, and these cookies are mainly made for special occasions and are often sold as souvenirs. The filling is made with a thick mixture of honey, almonds, water, semolina, sesame seeds, wine, lard, and various spices such as cinnamon, cloves, or vanilla. It is prepared in advance, and after it is cooked, it should be left to set. The cookie is assembled by wrapping the cookie dough around the thin roll of filling. The cookies are then shaped, and the top of each cookie is hand-carved with decorative patterns. Before baking, they are usually garnished with colorful sprinkles.