For recipe see "Pastries"

Cannoli originated in Sicily, dating back to the time of Arab domination. Cannoli's tube-shaped shells made of fried pastry dough are generally filled with sweetened ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese or Italian custard. They range in size from mini (known as "cannulicchi") to extra large. Some food historians believe cannoli were once thought of as symbols of fertility and may have been served to harems. By the late 19th century cannoli were traditionally prepared in Sicily for the Carnival holidays. When Sicilians immigrated to North America they brought along their beloved desserts. In North America Italians did not celebrate Carnival with the same enthusiasm as they had in their home country, so cannoli did not become associated with this festivity. In the 1950s cannoli were generally served at weddings, baptisms and confirmations. Back then very few Italians (except perhaps for Sicilians) actually made them -- cannoli were the type of pastries people bought at neighborhood pastry shops. In fact, to this day very few people make them at home. However, ever since pre-packaged cannoli shells became available in Italian pastry shops, more and more people are making their own fillings (The end result could be delicious, and economical as well). Nowadays no one needs a "reason" to eat a cannoli -- they're eaten whenever the mood strikes. American television shows have further popularized cannoli by making constant reference to them. In the T.V. series, "The Sopranos," Tony Soprano, a Mafia kingpin, indicates his love for the Italian dolci. One of the most quoted lines from the movie, "The Godfather," is [Believe it or not] "Leave the gun, take the cannoli...." Even though Italian cooking is not known for its desserts, cannoli have made a big inroad in the North American market. They're incredibly popular with Italians and non-Italians as well. Photo: by the contributor.

Back to main list