Where can you buy quince jelly? And where to buy pitteddhe alla cotognata, authentic shortcrust pastry from the Apulian tradition?
Pitteddhe alla cotognata represent a culinary delicacy typical of the gastronomic tradition of Salento. This dessert, with an enveloping and genuine flavour, is the result of a skilful combination between the delicious shortcrust pastry baskets and the sweetness of the quince jelly.
What are pitteddhe?
Pitteddhe are small desserts made from shortcrust pastry, round in shape and with a fragrant consistency, prepared with simple but genuine ingredients. The shape is typically rounded but irregular, pinched by hand along the edge: the shape obtained is therefore that of a star. Looking at Salento pitteddhe, also known as star tarts, Sardinian pardulas also come to mind, which however are totally different in terms of ingredients and flavour. Here, the protagonist is not in fact the ricotta, but the jam or jam. The pittedde that you find proposed on this page are based on quince jelly. A typically Salento preparation, also very famous in other Italian regions.
Quince jelly is a traditional preparation obtained by slow and prolonged cooking of quinces with sugar, until a thick and fragrant jam is obtained. This delight gives pitteddhe a sweet and enveloping soul, creating a perfect combination of softness and aromatic intensity.
The preparation of pitteddhe with quince jelly requires craftsmanship, typical of grandmothers who pass down the secret recipe for this dessert from generation to generation.
Information on pitteddhe alla cotognata
Pitteddhe are artisanal and typically Salento tartlets with jam. In Salento everyone calls them pitteddhe, but you could also find them with the name of chinuliddre (whose shape however is not identical to that of pitteddhe), pittegge, star tarts, filled Salento sweets or tarts with jam.
Those presented on this page are stuffed with excellent artisanal quince jelly, a truly ancient preparation that is still handed down from family to family in Salento today. The protagonists are naturally the quinces, delicately acidic and intensely aromatic: the quince jam goes very well with the delicacy of the shortcrust pastry: the result is a tasty and fragrant tart like never before, certainly appreciated by the whole family and in any time of the day.
What is quince jelly?
Leccese quince jelly is a delicious preserve made from quince, an autumn fruit known for its acidic flavor and grainy texture. A few words on the recipe for homemade quince jelly. To prepare quince jelly, quinces are peeled, cooked and then transformed into a puree sweetened with sugar. The mixture is then thickened until it obtains a thick, gelatinous consistency, similar to that of a solid jam. Traditionally, quince jelly is poured into molds to cool and solidify, creating bars that can be cut into cubes. It is highly appreciated for its unique taste and versatility, often served as a stand-alone dessert or used in combination with cheeses and meats.
