Ingredients
Method
Make the Dough
- Whisk the flour, sugar, salt, and orange zest together in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the white wine and olive oil. Mix with a fork, then your hands, until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a work surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Wrap in plastic and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Shape the Cartellate
- Cut the dough into 4 pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll it through a pasta machine or with a rolling pin to about 2mm thick.
- Cut the sheet into strips 3 cm wide and 25 to 30 cm long. Using a fluted pastry wheel, trim one long edge of each strip into a wavy scalloped pattern.
- Fold each strip in half lengthwise with the scalloped edge facing out, and pinch every 2 cm along the folded edge to create ruffles.
- Starting from one end, roll the strip loosely into a spiral, pinching the base to hold its shape like a rose with the ruffled edge standing up.
Fry and Finish
- Heat the frying oil in a 26 cm / 10-inch deep pot to 170 C / 340 F.
- Fry the cartellate in batches of 4 to 5 so the oil temperature doesn't drop, for 2 to 3 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Warm the vincotto in a small saucepan over low heat until it loosens, then dip the top of each cooled cartellata into it or drizzle it over.
- Scatter diavolilli sprinkles over the top while the vincotto is still wet. Let set for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Roll dough to 2mm thickness for ruffles that crisp evenly.
- Fry in batches of 4-5 so oil temp holds steady.
- Pinch scalloped edges firmly before rolling into spirals.
- Warm vincotto before dipping so it coats instead of pooling.
- Undipped cartellate freeze well for up to 2 months.
