Sicilian Romeo (Sweet Ricotta Cannoli)
Instructions
- 1
Strain ricotta cheese overnight in a cheesecloth-lined strainer in the refrigerator to remove excess moisture
- 2
For the shells: Mix flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
- 3
Beat egg with Marsala wine and add to flour mixture. Knead until smooth dough forms, about 5 minutes
- 4
Wrap dough in plastic and let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature
- 5
Roll dough very thin (about 3mm) and cut into 4-inch circles. Wrap each around a cannoli tube, sealing edge with egg white
- 6
Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) and fry shells until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and cool completely
- 7
For filling: Beat strained ricotta with powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in vanilla, orange zest, and chocolate chips
- 8
Pipe filling into cooled shells using a pastry bag. Dip ends in chopped pistachios
- 9
Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving...
Chef's Note
"These crispy cannoli shells filled with sweet ricotta are worth every minute of effort - the secret is draining your ricotta overnight and frying the shells until they're perfectly golden. Don't be intimidated by the process; fresh cannoli are a world apart from store-bought!"