Cassatella di sant'Agata

Traditional pastry from Catania, Italy

Media: Cassatella di sant'Agata

Cassatella di sant'Agata (Sicilian: minnuzzi 'i sant'Àjita, lit. 'Saint Agatha's breasts') is a traditional Sicilian pastry from Catania made during the Festival of Saint Agatha, held from February 3rd to February 5th each year.^[1]^[2]

Origins

The Italian historian Emanuele Ciaceri has claimed that the origins of the dessert may lie with the cults of Isis in ancient Egypt, believing that the cakes were shaped like breasts to honor Isis' role as a mother goddess.^[3]

Description

The cakes are shaped like breasts to honor Saint Agatha, the patron saint of Catania, a Catholic martyr who was tortured by having her breasts cut off with pincers.^[4] Saint Agatha had taken a vow of virginity and refused to marry the Roman prefect Quintianus, who reported her to the authorities for being a Christian during the Decian persecution.^[5]

Cassatelle di sant'Agata are round-shaped sweets made with sponge cake soaked in rosolio and stuffed with ricotta, chocolate drops, and candied fruit, such as oranges or citrons. The outside is covered in white icing and finished with a candied cherry on top. The ricotta is made strictly from sheep's milk.^[6]

References

^ "A Sicilian Dessert Recipe: Minne di Sant'Agata". La Cucina Italiana. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
^ "The erotic origins of Italy's most famous sweet". BBC. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
^ Harlan Walker (1995). Disappearing Foods Studies in Foods and Dishes at Risk: Proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 1994. Oxford Symposium. p. 68. ISBN 0-907325-62-9. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
^ "Why everyone in Italy is eating nipple cakes". News.com.au. Retrieved 2019-11-09.
^ "St. Agatha, the early Church martyr who tradition says was visited by St. Peter". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
^ "The way "Minne" of St. Agatha truly came to be". Sicilian Post. Retrieved 2024-02-17.