Stroscia di Pietra: A Nutty Delight from Liguria

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 200g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour 200g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
• 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened 150g (⅔ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 egg yolk 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1170 KJ
• Fat: 20g (Saturated Fat: 7g)
• Carbohydrates: 22g (Sugar: 10g)
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   Add the softened butter, lemon zest, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a crumbly dough forms.
4. 4.
   Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead it gently until it comes together.
5. 5.
   Shape the dough into a round or rectangular form, about 1 inch thick.
6. 6.
   Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for the dough to achieve the desired texture. You can grind whole almonds in a food processor or use store-bought almond meal.
• Lemon zest — Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crunch, you can sprinkle some sliced almonds on top of the dough before baking.
• If you prefer a sweeter stroscia, you can dust it with powdered sugar after it has cooled down.
• Stroscia di Pietra is best enjoyed within a few days of baking, as it tends to lose its crunchiness over time. Store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.

Serving advice

Serve Stroscia di Pietra as a delightful breakfast pastry alongside a cup of coffee or tea. It can also be enjoyed as a sweet treat throughout the day.

Presentation advice

Present the Stroscia di Pietra on a rustic wooden platter or a decorative plate. You can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch.