{{Short description|Dessert from Siena, Italy}} {{Italics title}} {{Infobox food | name = ''Panforte'' | image = Panforte.jpg | image_size = | caption = Traditional style ''panforte'' | alternate_name = | country = Italy | region = Tuscany | creator = | course = | type = Confectionery | served = | main_ingredient = Nuts, honey, sugar, fruits, spices | variations = ''Panpepato'' }}
'''''Panforte''''' is a chewy Italian dessert containing fruit and nuts. It is similar to a Florentine but is much thicker. Known throughout Italy, it is an Italian Christmas tradition associated especially with the province of Siena.<ref>{{cite web |title=Panforte |website=epicurious |url=https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/panforte-107438}}</ref>
==History== ''Panforte'' dates back to at least the 13th century, in the Italian region of Tuscany. Documents from 1205, conserved in the State Archive of Siena, attest that bread flavored with pepper and honey (''panes melati et pepati'') was paid to the local monks and nuns of the monastery of Montecellesi (modern Monte Celso, near Fontebecci) as a tax or tithe which was due on 7 February that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fioresiena.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Catalogo_Fiore_2016.pdf|title=Storia - History (Fiore di Siena)|access-date=2020-08-21|archive-date=2023-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102153559/https://www.fioresiena.it/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Catalogo_Fiore_2016.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fabbricadelpanforte.com/immagini/brochure/storia.pdf|title=I dolci senesi tra storia e leggenda|access-date=2020-08-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |date=1933 |title=Atti, volumi 1-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CDJHAAAAYAAJ&q=%22L%27origine+del+Panforte%22+%227+febbraio+1205%22 |publisher=Accademia dei fisiocritici in Siena. Sezione agraria}}</ref>
Literally, ''panforte'' means 'strong bread', derived from the Latin {{lang|la|fortis}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pasticcerienannini.it/en/storia-dei-dolci/panforte-panpepato-i-dolci-antichi|title=I dolci più antichi: Panforte e Panpepato|access-date=2020-08-21|archive-date=2023-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102153557/https://www.pasticcerienannini.it/en/storia-dei-dolci/panforte-panpepato-i-dolci-antichi|url-status=dead}}</ref> which refers to the spicy flavour. Originally, the Sienese called it ''panpepato'' ('peppered bread'), due to the strong pepper used. The original dessert was composed of wheat flour, honey, spices, dried figs, jam and pine nuts and was flavored with pepper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.grupponannini.it/AspnetPages/Pasticcerie.aspx|title=Panforte e panpepato: i dolci più antichi|access-date=2020-08-21|archive-date=2023-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102153557/http://www.grupponannini.it/AspnetPages/Pasticcerie.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Protected geographical indication== In 2013, ''panforte'' received the protected geographical indication (PGI) status.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/door/registeredName.html?denominationId=2355&locale=en|title=Agriculture and Rural Development|access-date=2019-01-05}}</ref>
==Gallery== <gallery widths="200px" heights="160px"> Image:panpepato-small.jpg|''Panforte'' with chocolate File:Panforte at a shop in San Gimignano.jpg|''Panforte'' with marzipan at a shop in San Gimignano, Italy </gallery>
==See also== {{Portal|Italy|Food}} * List of Italian desserts and pastries * ''Panpepato''
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/panforte.htm Panforte Di Siena]—history
{{Nut confections}}
Category:Cuisine of Tuscany Category:Italian desserts Category:Nut confections Category:Christmas food Category:Christmas in Italy
{{Italy-dessert-stub}} {{Italy-cuisine-stub}}