Homemade Taralli {Italian White Wine Biscuits}

When Michael was alive I had to hide my summer baking habits, making pies, cookies and other treats while he was at work. Of course, it never really worked keeping the truth from him, as the drips of condensation on the floor outside our front window from the air conditioner were telltale signs of what I’d been up to.

I mean, I love baking year-round but I’m not crazy enough to do it without climate control. Thankfully, he loved everything he came home to, so after a few minutes of lecturing me about baking when it was 90ºF + degrees outside, he usually shut up and realized he was quite a lucky fella.

One of my favorite meals to serve during warmer weather is a board cobbled together with finger foods. A typical board will include paper-thin slices of prosciutto di parma or cacciatorini, olives (almond stuffed olives are my absolute favorite), an assortment of nuts, cheeses, whatever dried and fresh fruits I have on hand, and sometimes fritto misto or panelle.

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Then there’s the bread. This is non-negotiable for me, and probably for my kids, too. Sometimes it’s homemade. Sometimes it’s store-bought. And sometimes it’s crackers. That’s where these taralli come into play. They’re great for eating with just a crisp glass of chilled wine, but also a perfect vehicle for wrapping bits of cheese and prosciutto around.

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Taralli are fun to make. My 11 year old can confirm this since she helped make the last batch. I even set my perfectionist tendencies aside to let her help, knowing they wouldn’t all be perfectly shaped. I need those reminders to keep me in check about the real purpose of why I love cooking.

The dough comes together quite easily, and needs a brief rest of 30 minutes. Once shaped, the taralli get a quick boiling water bath, similar to making bagels. The blast of boiling water is what helps give them that beautiful shine. I don’t know the results if you were to skip this part, as this is how they’re traditionally made and how I’ve always made them. I have a feeling someone is going to ask me this, so if anyone bakes them straight away, please share your results with us.

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

The recipe calls for white wine. You can also use rosé, which I’ve done on occasion when that’s what’s open in the fridge. If you keep a bottle of Lillet chilling in the fridge you can even use that—but don’t tell the Italian food police because I’m sure someone is going to say “you can’t do that”, to which I’ll roll my eyes, while munching on these taralli.

Italian Wine Biscuits | In Jennie’s Kitchen

10 years ago: Orange & Soy Glazed Salmon | Peach Raspberry Tart | Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

9 years ago: Zucchini Coffee Cake | Cold-Brewed Coffee | Ginger Soy Marinated Steak

8 years ago: 20-Minute Marinara Sauce | How to Preserve Cherries | Homemade Nut-Free Nutella

7 years ago: Rustic Lemon Cake

6 years ago: Blackberry Old Fashioned | How to Make Simple Syrup

5 years ago: Mixed Berry Muffins | Cantaloupe & Lillet Sparkler

4 years ago: Sour Cherry Jam | How to Poach Salmon | Basil Pistachio Pesto

3 years ago: Chickpea & Fennel Tartine | All-Natural Copper Cleaner | Sweet Cherry Coffee Cake

2 years ago: Chocolate Chip Pancake Muffins | Penne Primavera | Summer Peach Cake | Blueberry Pie Filling | The BEST Chocolate Cake Ever

1 year ago: Eggplant Parmigiana | No-Cook Tomato Sauce | Zucchini Walnut Bread | Cherry Chocolate Ripple Gelato | Cherry Clafoutis

Homemade Taralli {Italian White Wine Biscuits}

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 140 grams flour 1 cup using scoop & sweep method
• 3 grams fine sea salt ½ teaspoon
• 3 grams fennel seeds 1½ teaspoons
• 40 ml/grams olive oil about 2 ½ tablespoons
• 60 ml/grams white wine ¼ cup

Instructions

 

• In a deep bowl, whisk flour, salt and fennel seeds.
• Pour in olive oil and wine. Stir with a wooden spatula to combine. Dough will be very soft and sponge-like, but shouldn’t be tacky or sticky (sprinkle in more flour a tablespoon at a time, if needed).
• Scrape dough into a counter or board (no need to flour the surface). Reserve bowl for next step. Knead until dough is smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Put dough back into bowl, cover with plastic wrap (a disposable shower cap works perfectly and is reusable), and let dough rest for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Pluck a teaspoon of dough (7 grams worth if you want to me precise). Using your fingertips, gently roll dough into a 5–inch long rope. Join the ends together to form a circle (similar to shaping bagels if you’ve ever made them). Place shaped drops on a clean, kitchen towel (do not flour the towel!).
• Add the shaped dough to the pot of boiling water, a few pieces at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. They’ll sink to the bottom–this is normal. Once they bob back to the surface, 1–2 minutes later, use a slotted spoon to transfer them back to the cloth towel. Once all have been boiled, place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until golden and thoroughly crisped throughout, 35–40 minutes. Let cool completely before serving. Store in a tin or glass jar in a cool, dry place.