The cuddura, ‘Kulloura’ in Greek (meaning ‘crown’) is a sweet cookie which may be found on every Sicilian table during Easter lunch.
Originally the cookies were produced by shepherds, brought with them during their travels through the countryside and the crown shape made them easy to hang on their arms. Also, young girls used to offer heart-shaped cuddura as a love message for their boyfriends.
Every time I see a pack of coloured sugar sprinkles, my childhood memories come back. During Easter time my mother used to spend one whole day in the kitchen, usually with a couple of friends, baking the cudduri.
While children were running around the kitchen table, dozens of eggs were hard boiled, pounds of dough kneaded just by one of them, without weighing ingredients, using just experience. The other women's duty was to cut different shapes out of the dough, while children’s job was to decorate the cudduri with the sugar sprinkles.
It was more than a tradition, it was a ritual. Every year the same one, comforting as all known things.
The cuddura was the Easter present for children, relatives, friends and a lot of cuddure were received! A real exchange and a way to discuss about the taste, shapes, decorations and thing about new variations... to come back to bake the cudduri in the same way next year!
Please sign in or register to send a comment to Great British Chefs.