Is anyone else a lover of panforte ("strong cake") as I now am after having had some in Siena? It's a dense sweet cake with spices, like a slightly spicy fruitcake, that you can buy in various sweet shops especially in Siena but I think throughout Tuscany (well, I saw it in Florence). But in Siena they're all over. It's packaged in a beautiful "authentic"-looking rough paper packaging with a drawing of a saint or something similar on the front that is entrancing by itself. Walking by one of these shops (pasticceria) and seeing beautiful slices of dark panforte glistening with nutty sweetness displayed in the window is an experience in itself, but having the propretress hand you a slice is heavenly. I tried four or five different flavors and loved them all-there's Margherita which I think is the classic flavor, Chocolate, Nero, and even Ficchi e Noci-figs and walnuts. A visual and gustatory delight. Anyone else hooked on this like I am?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32384 posts
Rick, I believe that's what I had when I was in Siena last year, and YES, it was excellent! I managed to find space in my Pack to bring one package home, but of course it's "long gone" now. As I recall, it was somewhat on the "expensive" side! Your post is a good reminder that I'll have to check the local Italian shops to see if I can find any here.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34133 posts
Yes
Posted by
Shawnee, OK, USA
396 posts
Love the chocolate panforte. Brought back several cakes for friends/family last month right before Easter. bought them at a store on the Campo....wish I had bought more! Guess I will just have to go back. they have chocolate (my favorte), cinnamon and classic at the store I purchased them.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA
65 posts
Karren just reading your message made me hungry for panforte, and I've been back from Italy almost two weeks. Yeah, on the campo in Siena is where I had my first taste of it (how could I resist those gorgeous window displays?), and then I was hooked for the rest of our trip. I live in Boston and I figured I'd see if there any shops that sell it in the North End (our Italian district). But in the meantime I found this Seattle-based website where it looks like you can buy panforte from: http://www.marxfoods.com/products/Marabissi-Italian-Panforte
Posted by
Olympia, WA
73 posts
Hi I am reposting this recipe, I already posted it under another topic by Rick. Here is a very easy Panforte recipe from another Italy and panforte addict: Brush an 8" cake pan with oil or melted butter and line with parchment paper. Brush paper with oil/butter. Combine 2/3 cup each chopped macadamia nuts, walnuts and slivered almonds in a large bowl. Add one and 1/2 cups of chopped dried fruits in any combination, I like mangoes, pineapple, blueberries and figs. Sift together 2/3 cup plain flour, 2 tablespoons dark cocoa and 1 teaspoon cinnamon, add to bowl with nuts and fruits. In a a small saucepan combine 2 ounces butter, 2 ounces dark chocolate, 1/3 cup caster sugar and 1/3 cup honey. melt over slow heat and then stir into fruit and nut mixture until just combined. Bake in cake pan at 350 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes. After 40 minutes keep a watch as it can burn. My oven is hotter and so I bake it for 40 minutes but my friend has to bake it longer. My family and friends love it and I make it all the time. As a variation, you can skip the chocolate part and increase the butter by a tablespoon and the flour by 2 tablespoons. My friend has tried cashews and pineapple or it could be walnuts and figs. Just stick to the 1 1/2 cups dried fruit and 2 cups nuts combination. Hope all the Italy addicts who love cooking or baking will find this recipe helpful!!
Devika
Posted by
Illinois, USA
97 posts
I can't wait to go to Siena and try some for myself...plus bring plenty of it home!! Speaking of bringing food home......are you allowed to bring back cheese? That is another Italian item I am looking forward to!