{{Short description|Italian Christmas pastry}} {{Other|Cavallucci (surname)}} {{Italics title}} {{Infobox food | name = ''Cavallucci'' | image = 2017-06-22 Siena 15 (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = | alternate_name = | country = Italy | region = Siena, Tuscany | creator = | course = | type = Pastry | served = | main_ingredient = Anise seeds, almonds, candied fruits, coriander, flour, Tuscan ''millefiori'' honey | variations = }}
'''''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'.<ref name = "ifood">{{cite web | url = http://ifood.tv/european/cavallucci/about | title = Cavallucci | publisher = ifood.tv | accessdate = 16 December 2014 | archive-date = 19 March 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220319191032/https://ifood.tv/european/cavallucci/about | url-status = dead }}</ref> The chewy pastries are similar to a cookie or biscuit and traditionally use Tuscan ''millefiori'' honey as an essential ingredient in the dough.
==History== thumb|''Cavallucci'' The pastries were originally imprinted with the image of a horse (''cavalli'' is the Italian term for 'horses').<ref name="ciao">{{cite web | url = http://www.ciaoitalia.com/seasons/13/1323/horsemens-cookies | title = Horsemen's Cookies | publisher = Ciao Italia | first = Mary Ann | last = Esposito | accessdate = 16 December 2014}}</ref> They are a version of a pastry which is traceable to the reign of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449–1492), when they were called "'''''biriquocoli'''''".<ref name = "toscana">{{cite web | url = http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/site/en/local-products/Christmas-cakes-and-sweets-in-Tuscany/ | title = Christmas cakes and sweets in Tuscany | website = Turismo in Toscana | publisher = Regione Toscana | accessdate = 14 December 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141216093942/http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/site/en/local-products/Christmas-cakes-and-sweets-in-Tuscany/ | archive-date = 16 December 2014 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
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.<ref name = "toscana"/> Another speculation is that postal workers who delivered mail over long distances ate the pastries on a regular basis.<ref name = "ifood"/> 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.
==Serving== The pastry is often paired with sweet dessert wines, such as Vin Santo, and dipped into the wine before being eaten.<ref name = "toscana"/>
==See also== {{Portal|Italy|Food}} * List of Italian desserts and pastries
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.academiabarilla.com/italian-recipes/dessert-cakes-cookies/cavallucci-morsetti-siena.aspx Cavallucci (o morsetti) di Siena] Retrieved 26 April 2013 * [http://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/cavallucci Cavallucci: Local Recipe in Tuscany, Italy] Retrieved 26 April 2013
Category:Biscuits Category:Christmas food Category:Anise Category:Cuisine of Tuscany Category:Christmas in Italy Category:Italian pastries Category:Cookies