Fried "Jam Cushions" Teramo Style (Abruzzo)

Desserts

Ingredients

All purpose flour - 1 cup

Salt - pinch

Granulated sugar - 2 1/2 tbsps

Olive oil - 4 tsps

White Wine - 2-3 tbsps

Jam - 5 tbsps

Bitter chocolate, grated - 2 squares

Almonds, toasted and chopped - 1/3 cup

Oil for deep frying

Honey

Sift the flour on to a pastry board or into a bowl and make a well in the center. Add the salt, sugar and oil and enough wine to make a firm but pliable dough. Knead vigorously. Roll the douhg out into a very thin sheet and cut into circles about 3 inches in diameter.

Mix the jam, chocolate and almonds together. Place a little of this mixture on each circle, fold the pastry over it and press the edges firmly to seal them.

Heat plenty of oil or lard until hot but not boiling (350F) and deep-fry the little "cushions", a few at a time, until a deep golden color. Take them from the pan with a perforated spoon and drain on absorbant paper. Serve warm or cold, lightly coated with honey.