Discover the Delight of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto: Crostata di Ricotta e Visciole
The culinary traditions of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto are a cornerstone of Roman cuisine, featuring unique and authentic dishes that have been cherished for centuries. Among these, the Crostata di Ricotta e Visciole—a sweet pastry tart filled with ricotta cheese and sour cherry jam—stands out as a beloved favorite. Dive into the story behind this mouthwatering recipe and join Valeria and Benedetta in their latest Foodie Sisters video as they explore its origins and preparation.
A Taste of History
Rome’s Jewish community, with a history spanning over 2000 years, began to develop a distinct culinary identity following the establishment of the Jewish Ghetto in 1555. The challenging living conditions and religious traditions shaped a unique set of recipes that eventually became part of the broader cucina romana. Some of these dishes, however, remain closely tied to the Jewish Ghetto, where they are traditionally prepared and savored.
The Iconic Crostata di Ricotta e Visciole
The crostata di ricotta e visciole is a quintessential example of Roman-Jewish pastry. This delightful tart features a double layer of sweet pastry that encases a luscious filling of sweetened ricotta cheese and sour black cherry jam, made from a local variety of wild cherry known as visciole. Baked to a golden perfection, the tart balances the crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth pastry with the creamy ricotta and the tangy cherry jam, offering a harmonious blend of sweet and sour flavors.
A Clever Culinary Innovation
Traditionally, Italian sweet tarts have an open or lattice design, but the crostata di ricotta e visciole is unique with its full pastry lid. This practice dates back to a papal decree that prohibited Roman Jews from trading in dairy products. Ingeniously, the Jewish community concealed the ricotta filling between layers of pastry, leading to the creation of this delicious tart.
Experience the Authentic Flavors
For an authentic taste of this ricotta and cherry pie, follow the Foodie Sisters to the Jewish Ghetto. Here, bakeries offer this tart in both small and large portions, alongside other Roman-Jewish delicacies such as ginetti (lemon-flavored cookies) and pizza ebraica (a sweet Jewish “pizza” made with nuts and candied fruit).
Embark on a culinary journey with Valeria and Benedetta as they delve into the rich history and delicious flavors of the Jewish Ghetto, bringing a piece of Rome’s past to your plate.
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