Honey Clusters
Called "strufoli" in Italy. Small balls of fried dough held together with honey and decorated with almonds and colored sprinkles. Traditionally made in Abruzzo for the Carnevale (Mardi Gras) it is used often as a Christmas treat.
12 eggs
6 tsp. Crisco
1 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
lemon rind
1 tsp. anise flavor
8 cups flour
1 jar honey
¼ cup sugar
Grate lemon rind. Mix Crisco, flour, sugar, eggs, lemon rind, and anise. Roll into dough, cover, and let rest at room temperature. Cut dough and make long cords. Cut cords into corn shaped pieces. Heat oil to 350° and fry pieces until lightly golden brown. Remove from oil and let drain on paper towels. Melt honey and sugar in a pot over medium heat. Boil until it forms a soft ball in water (10-15 minutes). Pour honey into a bowl of cooled clusters. Mix until clusters are coated in honey and drop into small cupcake cups. Top with sprinkles and slivered almonds.
Recipe from Giovina DellaPietra, submitted by Mark DellaPietra.