Mastazzoli (mastaccholi) Calabrese Cookies Vibo Valentia, Calabria, Italy 2003 #cookies #whimsical #mastaccholi #mastazzoli #calabrese #festive #rockhard #italy #europe #©lauraquick #fish #pretty Mastazzoli, typical of Soriano Calabro (a town in the Calabrese province of Vibo Valentia) are among the region’s oldest treats. Many variants of this cookie can be found in various regions of Southern Italy bearing names like mostaccioli or nzuddi. Made primarily with flour and honey, their roots are said to be Arabic. The mastazzolu is an unleavened cookie that is baked until rock hard making it difficult to chew. The intention is to suck on them slowly until they soften, which also allows for their aromatic flavorings of anise, cinnamon and cloves to come through. The mastazzoli that are typically seen during periods of patronage, are rolled flat and formed into whimsical shapes (fish, horses, baskets, dolls etc.). Artisans typically form them by hand using only a knife and their imagination for shaping; their inspiration drawn from myths, legends or even everyday life. During times of formal courtship, mastazzoli makers would be asked to create their confections in heart shapes for young men paying their first official visits to their fiancés. In addition to their intricate shaping they are decorated with hatch marks and tiny squares of colored foil creating a festival appeal. Text from fablesandfocaccia.com https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYSVxHHfSv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gokrqsjay17c