Here is a typical Piedmontese Christmas product
Italian cuisine presents different recipes from various regions. These have then spread throughout Italy. Their preparation is linked to Christmas holidays. Among the most interesting we find the typical Gofri of Piedmont. In particular, they are from the Val di Susa and Val Ghisone. Italian Traditions will guide you on the discovery of this typical Piedmontese product. In particular we will tell you about the origin of this dish. Then we present the traditional recipe to adhere to and how to prepare it.
What are Gofri?
The gofri are pasta waffles that are made using only three ingredients. These are yeast water and flour. Their shape varies depending on the type of mold used for preparation. They are usually circular or square in shape. One of the main characteristics of this food consists in the typical honeycomb grilling that completely covers its surface. In fact, to cook them you need to use a special cast iron grill.
Moreover, they are not seasoned, so they go perfectly well with either sweet or salted food.
Tradition wants them stuffed with ham and cheese but also with honey and maple syrup. Interesting is also the variant that involves the use of jam or chocolate cream. It can be found in the main bars of the region or even at street vendors. During Christmas, many Piedmontese families in the valleys usually gather to eat this product.
Their origin
The Gofri date back to the late 1800s when in the areas of Piedmont bordering with France this type of pastry began to be cooked. They looked like French waffles also called Guefres. The name Gofri derives precisely from this and has the meaning in Italian of a grid-shaped surface. The fundamental difference is that those of Piedmont are lower and crisper than those traditionally prepared in France. Moreover, the latter require the use of more ingredients and are sweet.
The traditional recipe
The traditional recipe requires the use of a particular tool for the realization of the Gofri. This is precisely the special cast iron grills. They must overlap and are characterized by the typical honeycomb grate. The ingredients to be used to make about 30 Gofri are:
- 1 kg of flour
- 1 liter of lukewarm water
- 10 gr of brewer’s yeast.
You can also use an egg and a half liter of milk.
How to prepare them?
The preparation of this Piedmontese specialty is rather simple. First mix the flour together with the lukewarm water. At this point add the brewer’s yeast and continue to mix. Then let it rest and leaven for about two hours. Now heat the two plates on the fire and, once ready, place the preparation and close them one on top of the other. The time generally required for cooking is about 5 minutes. Once ready they can be served naturally or accompanied with other typical products of the region.
Each Italian region present traditional recipes that are made especially at certain times of the year. Some of these have ancient and distant origins. If you want to discover other traditional regional dishes, we recommend reading this article too. Now that you know what the Piedmontese Gofri are, all you have to do is taste them if you have not yet done so.