A dessert with Arab origins, typical of the Christmas holidays

In Sicily, sfince or spince are prepared with a mixture of flour and boiled potatoes . This dessert was almost always prepared at home by mothers but today they can be found on sale in bakeries or pastry shops all year round. They are fried in olive oil and sprinkled with cinnamon-flavored granulated sugar or grated lemon peel. A real delicacy for adults and children, ideal for cheering up the many convivial occasions, starting with the traditional family reunions of the Christmas period.
Sfince are excellent eaten hot but can also be enjoyed cold.

Ingredients for 10 people

1 Kg Flour
500 g Boiled potatoes pureed
60 g brewer's yeast
q.s. salt
q.s. Water
200 g Caster sugar
q.s. Cinnamon powder

Process

Mix together the flour , boiled potatoes , sugar and brewer's yeast dissolved in the water and start kneading everything vigorously, adding water if necessary.
Knead the dough until it reaches an elastic consistency and then leave it to rest, well covered (my grandmother placed a woolen cover over the bowl) for about two hours to allow it to rise. When the pasta has swollen properly it's time to try the cooking phase.

Fill a small pan with olive oil and heat it well.

When the oil is hot, throw in the dough, shaping it with your fingers to create donuts. The operation is not very simple at first and will require a few attempts...
but if you can't, no problem, make small balls, they will still be very tasty!

The slices must reach a light browning and then they must be placed on a sheet of absorbent paper to eliminate excess oil .

When you have finished frying them you can sprinkle them with granulated sugar and add some grated lemon zest or cinnamon to taste.
You will be amazed by their good scent and flavor!

Nutritional tab

Calories kcal: 150

More recipes

Desserts

diff. media

Sicilian cannoli
Traditionally cannoli were prepared only during the Carnival period but over time it has become the Sicilian dessert par excellence...

for 6
01:00
Desserts

diff. media

Recipe of Cassatelle with Ricotta
Good at any time of the day... the cassatelle, with a simple and genuine taste, are reminiscent of the desserts made by grandmothers

for 8
00:50
Appetizers

diff. bassa

Panelle
Panelle are tasty chickpea flour pancakes, typical of the Palermo area but now widespread throughout the island.

for 6
00:20
Appetizers

diff. molto-bassa

Pane cunzato
The Sicilian sandwich par excellence... an extraordinary mix of simplicity and taste.

for 4
00:10
Main courses

diff. media

Sweet and sour tuna
Tuna with sweet and sour onions is a typical Sicilian recipe, slices of red tuna fried in a pan and flavored with onions

for 4
00:40
First courses

diff. bassa

Pasta chi vruocculi arriminati
It is one of the Sicilian dishes par excellence

for 4
00:15
First courses

diff. media

Arancine
Is always a good time to enjoy an arancina, the tasty rice ball much loved by Sicilians and tourists.

for 8
00:45
Main courses

diff. media

Sarde a beccafico
Beccafico sardines are a very tasty dish that bring to the table a combination of flavors that come from the sea and the countryside.

for 5
01:00
Desserts

diff. bassa

Jasmine sorbet
The sorbet that smells of flowers

for 4
00:40