| Cavallucci | |
| Country: | Italy |
| Region: | Siena, Tuscany |
| Type: | Pastry |
| Main Ingredient: | Anise seeds, almonds, candied fruits, coriander, flour, Tuscan millefiori honey |
Cavallucci are an Italian Christmas pastry made with anise, walnuts, candied fruits, coriander, and flour. They are Sienese in origin, and the name translates approximately to 'little horses'.[1] The chewy pastries are similar to a cookie or biscuit and traditionally use Tuscan millefiori honey as an essential ingredient in the dough.
The pastries were originally imprinted with the image of a horse (cavalli is the Italian term for 'horses').[2] They are a version of a pastry which is traceable to the reign of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492), when they were called "biriquocoli".[3]
Many hypotheses are associated with the origin of its name. According to the most popular version of the story, cavallucci were served to travelers on horseback as a source of nourishment for long trips.[3] Another speculation is that postal workers who delivered mail over long distances ate the pastries on a regular basis.[1] Additionally surmised is that these sweets were the usual snack of servants who worked in horse stables of rich Italian aristocrats in Siena, a city which gained its fame for horse racing.
The pastry is often paired with sweet dessert wines, such as Vin Santo, and dipped into the wine before being eaten.[3]