Recipe: Cantuccini di Prato

Learning about the local culinary traditions of a destination is one of the focal points of any VBT vacation. Each tour includes most meals as well as either cooking classes, demonstrations or tastings designed to give you more insight into native cuisine. One such cooking class is offered on our Tuscany by the Sea biking tour where travelers get to prepare, bake and of course, eat a type of Tuscan biscuit known as Cantuccini di Prato. Here’s the recipe—courtesy of VBT associate Marco M.—in case you want to try to prepare it yourself at home. Ingredients: (For 2 people) • 1 cup of Italian “00” super fine farina (flour)

• 1 egg • ¾ cup of sugar • 1 cup of almonds • 1 tsp of baking powder Directions: 1.) Put all the ingredients into the flour, mix well and knead energetically to obtain a soft sticky dough 2.) Roll the dough into cords and place them on a baking sheet covered with wax paper. 3.) Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until biscuits become gold colored with a darker brown edge 4.) Serve on own or pair with fruit and chocolate