The secrets of sasanelli from Puglia to discover

What are sasanelli from Puglia?

Sasanelli from Puglia are typical sweets of the Christmas tradition in Puglia, particularly from the Murgia and Bari areas. They are soft and fragrant cookies made with simple yet flavorful ingredients: flour, almonds, fig vincotto, spices, and dark chocolate.

Their name comes from their shape, which resembles a small stone – hence the dialect term sassanìidde, which in Bari dialect means “small stone.” Despite their rustic appearance, sasanelli have a soft texture and an intense aroma, thanks to the use of spices such as cinnamon and cloves.

What are the traditional ingredients of sasanelli from Puglia?

To prepare sasanelli according to the traditional recipe, you need: 1 kg of flour 100 g of oil 300 g of toasted and chopped almonds 20 g of baking powder Ground cinnamon and cloves Fig vincotto (as needed for mixing) 200 g of sugar Grated orange or lemon zest 100 g of chopped dark chocolate 1 glass of lemon liqueur

These ingredients, combined together, create a rich and fragrant dough that encapsulates all the flavors of Puglian Christmas.

How are sasanelli prepared step by step?

The preparation of sasanelli from Puglia is very simple and does not require special tools. Here’s how to do it: 1. Arrange the flour in a fountain shape on a work surface. 2. Add all the other ingredients: oil, sugar, chopped almonds, baking powder, citrus zest, cinnamon, cloves, and chopped dark chocolate. 3. Start kneading by gradually adding the fig vincotto until the dough becomes homogeneous and soft. 4. Form small portions and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each cookie. 5. Bake in the oven at 160 °C for about 8-10 minutes.

The result is a dessert with an irresistible aroma and a sweet yet balanced taste, perfect to enjoy with a glass of wine or coffee after meals.

What is fig vincotto and why is it so important in sasanelli?

Fig vincotto is one of the fundamental ingredients of sasanelli from Puglia. It is obtained by boiling dried figs for a long time until a thick, dark syrup with a sweet and caramelized flavor is achieved.

In the past, vincotto was considered a true treasure in Puglian kitchens, used not only for sweets but also to flavor savory dishes and preserves. In sasanelli, vincotto gives softness to the dough and a unique, unmistakable aroma that immediately brings back memories of Christmas festivities from the past.

Where do sasanelli from Puglia come from?

Sasanelli originate from the Murgia area, between Bari and Taranto, but they have since spread throughout the region, with small local variations. In some areas, they are made with grape vincotto instead of fig, while in others, candied peels or honey are added.

In the past, these sweets were also prepared for the commemoration of the dead in November and then reintroduced during the Christmas season. Today, they are considered a symbol of Puglian festivity and conviviality.

When are sasanelli prepared and enjoyed?

Traditionally, sasanelli are prepared during the Christmas season, but in many Puglian families, they are also made in the fall when fresh vincotto is produced.

They are perfect sweets to serve during the holidays, after meals, or to give to relatives and friends during Christmas. Their aroma of spices and citrus fills the house and immediately creates a festive atmosphere.

Are sasanelli similar to other Italian sweets?

Yes, sasanelli can resemble other Christmas sweets from Southern Italy. For example, Neapolitan mostaccioli or Lucanian vincotto cookies share some ingredients like cocoa, almonds, and vincotto. However, sasanelli stand out for their spicy aroma and the unique softness of the dough.

Each region of Southern Italy has its version of the Christmas cookie with vincotto, but the Puglian one remains one of the most loved for its balance of flavors and simplicity of preparation.

Why should tourists taste sasanelli during a trip to Puglia?

Anyone visiting Puglia during the Christmas season cannot miss sasanelli. These sweets represent an authentic piece of local history and tell the Puglian peasant tradition better than many words.

Tasting a sasanello means discovering the aromas of the Puglian land: the vincotto obtained from figs ripened in the sun, the toasted almonds typical of the Bari countryside, and the intensity of the oriental spices that arrived at Puglian ports centuries ago.

For tourists, trying sasanelli is a way to experience authenticity, made of simple gestures and true flavors that take you back in time.

Where can you buy sasanelli in Puglia?

During the Christmas season, sasanelli can be easily found in artisan pastry shops, traditional bakeries, and Christmas markets. In many Puglian towns, especially in the areas of Bari, Gravina, Altamura, and Gioia del Colle, they are prepared according to recipes passed down through generations.

Many local producers also sell packaged versions, often made with organic vincotto and local ingredients. Some farms include them in their typical Christmas baskets, along with other Puglian sweets like cartellate and mostaccioli.

Can sasanelli be made at home outside of Puglia?

Of course! All the ingredients for sasanelli can be easily found even outside the region. The only element that is more difficult to find is fig vincotto, but it can be replaced with grape vincotto or fig syrup.

By following the traditional recipe and baking the cookies at low temperature, you will achieve the same intense aroma and characteristic taste that makes sasanelli one of the most appreciated sweets of Puglia.

What variants of sasanelli exist?

In some areas of Puglia, sasanelli are prepared by adding honey, cocoa, or pieces of candied fruit. There are also versions without chocolate, more similar to the original peasant recipe.

In Bari, for example, they tend to use more spices, while in the Taranto area, they prefer more intense citrus aromas. Every family has its version, carefully guarded and passed down from generation to generation.

Why do sasanelli represent authentic Puglia?

Sasanelli are not just a sweet: they are the symbol of Puglian peasant culture, made of simplicity, recycling, and valuing local products. Every ingredient has a story: the almonds from the fields, the sun-dried figs, the spices that arrived from afar through the ports of Bari and Brindisi.

When you taste a sasanello, you savor a piece of history, a fragment of everyday life from Puglia of the past. And it is precisely this that makes them so special and unforgettable for those who visit the region.