Sfogliatelle – hard to pronounce, but easy to eat!

Meaning “many layers” in Italian, Sfogliatelle is a decadent clam shaped pastry that, when baked to perfection, can make a grown man cry. How are these masterpieces assembled? Numerous layers of phyllo like dough are wrapped around a heavy, but sweet, citrus flavored ricotta cheese.

Only the brave culinary artist would even attempt to make these from scratch – they are simply way too involved to create. I remember reading a Gourmet Magazine article on the steps involved in preparing Sfogliatelle - page upon page of instruction. I thought to myself, in a heavy Italian accent, “Forget aboud it”. It’s a wonderful thing to have an authentic Italian bakery (Luigi’s) right up the street allowing you, on a whim, to purchase these tantalizing treats that tickle the taste buds.

Not only is Sfogliatelle my mother’s favorite Italian pastry, but my co-workers at Pitney Bowes love to pronounce the name of this Italian blessing over and over again. The office rat-pack seems to believe that Seinfeld missed a classic opportunity by not having one of his episodes centered around Jerry, George and Elaine fighting over a box of Sfogliatelle.

Never had one? What are you waiting for? Just make sure you have a hot cup of java handy as nothing complements a warm sfogliattelle better than a dusting of powder sugar and a piping hot cup of coffee.