Neapolitan Sweet Pastry Rings (Naples)

Desserts

Ingredients

Water - 3 cups

Salt - pinch

Sugar - 3 tbsps

Brandy (optional) 2 1/2 tbsps

All purpose flour - 3 cups

Oil for deep frying

Confectioners sugar

Ground cinnamon

Put the water, salt, sugar, and brandy into a pan and bring to a boil. As soon as the water bubbles, add the flour all at once, stirring vigourously with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking and stirring until the paste comes away from the sides of the pan. Beat it with the spoon until light and elastic, then turn it out on to an oiled marble slab or pastry board. It must be in one piece, like a ball. Beat the ball with a wooden pestle, keeping it in one piece, and continue beating for 10 minutes. As it becomes flat, re-shape it back to its ball shape.

Break off small pieces of the dough and roll them into 1/2 inch thick sticks about 10 inches long. Shape these into rings, pressing the ends together firmly and prick with a fork.

Heat plenty of oil for deep frying. Add the rings, a few at a time and fry until crisp and golden. Take from the pan with a perforated spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot, sprinkled lightly with the confectioners sugar sifted with cinnamon.