Sospiri di Ozieri

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 4 large egg whites 4 large egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 200g (7 oz) lemon curd 200g (7 oz) lemon curd
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 10g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground almonds, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. 4.
   Gently fold the egg whites into the almond mixture until well combined.
5. 5.
   Transfer the batter into a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
6. 6.
   Pipe small rounds of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
7. 7.
   Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
9. 9.
   Once cooled, spoon a small amount of lemon curd onto the flat side of one cookie and sandwich it with another cookie.
10. 10.
    Repeat with the remaining cookies.
11. 11.
    Dust the filled cookies with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Make sure to use finely ground almonds for a smoother texture in the cookies.
• Lemon curd — If you prefer a more intense lemon flavor, you can add a little lemon juice to the lemon curd before filling the cookies.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve perfectly shaped cookies, pipe the batter onto the baking sheet using a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way outwards.
• If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag with a small hole cut in one corner.
• For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle some edible gold dust on top of the powdered sugar for a shimmering effect.
• If you prefer a different citrus flavor, you can substitute the lemon curd with lime or orange curd.
• Store the filled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain their freshness.

Serving advice

Serve Sospiri di Ozieri as a delightful dessert after a traditional Italian meal. They pair wonderfully with a cup of espresso or a glass of limoncello for a truly authentic experience.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Sospiri di Ozieri on a beautiful platter, dusted with powdered sugar. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or lemon zest for an elegant touch. Serve them alongside a sprig of fresh berries for a pop of color.