Honey & Cheese Fritters (Seadas) | Bonacini’s Italy

Difficulty:

1/5

Yield: 20 fritters

Ingredients:

5 cups (1.2 L) all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
1/3 cup (80 ml) melted butter
1 1/2 cups (350 ml) water, plus more for sealing
2 lemons, zest only
1 pound (454 g) Pecorino Romano, grated
Olive oil, for frying
Honey, for drizzling
1 orange, zest only, for garnish

Special equipment

3-inch (8 cm) circular cookie cutter with scalloped edges

Method:

For the dough, in a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and melted butter.

Add water a bit at a time, working in with hands and kneading, until a smooth dough forms.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and leave to rest while preparing the filling.

For the filling, combine lemon zest and Pecorino in a bowl.

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick.

Using cookie cutter, cut into rounds.

Make the fritters: place a generous amount of zest-cheese mixture in the middle of a round, leaving a border, then dab or brush the border with a little water. Carefully lay another round over the first, pressing the edges to seal. Repeat until all of the dough and filling have been used.

Fill a large pan with high sides with olive oil to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm) and heat to 350 F (175 C).

Carefully drop in 3-4 fritters at a time and fry, turning once, until both sides are golden brown.

Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on a paper-towel lined plate.

To serve, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with orange zest, and serve immediately.

Buon Appetito!