Mustacciuoli


Mustacciuoli is a traditional pastry from Naples, usually served at Christmas time.
Mustaccioli takes the form of a parallelogram, and consist of a soft, spiced, cake-like interior, covered in chocolate. In recent years, they are many variations of mostaccioli sold in Naples, where the chocolate glaze may be replaced by a white chocolate frosting or icing sugar and candied fruit. Mustacciolis are often sold alongside other Neapolitan sweets including Roccocò, raffiuoli, susamielli, and struffoli at Christmastime.

History

Neapolitan mostacciolis were mentioned by Bartolomeo Scappi, personal cook of Pope Pius V as part of his pranzo alli XVIII di ottobre.

Etymology

The name "mustaccioli" was thought to be related to the use of grape must in older recipes.
In fact the term derives from the Latin language but not from mustum, but from mustace, that is, laurel. Originally the was prepared as a cake for the wedding, wrapped in mustace leaves which gave aroma during cooking. Hence the proverb loreolam in mustera quaerere, that is: to look uselessly in the focaccia for burnt bay leaves.

Related sweets in other regions