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Tartufo di Pizzo
Chocolate hazelnut gelato ball
Tartufo di Pizzo: Calabria's hazelnut and chocolate gelato ball with a melting chocolate heart
In 1952, in the seaside town of Pizzo in Calabria, a gelato maker ran out of moulds for a wedding banquet and shaped gelato by hand in his palm, around a centre of molten chocolate, then rolled it in cocoa. The tartufo, named for its resemblance to a truffle, is now protected as a local speciality, and the cafés on Pizzo's main piazza serve it in summer to crowds of visitors. Contains nuts. Chef's tip: work in a cold kitchen with chilled cling film and refreeze between each step; the gelato must stay firm enough to hold its ball shape.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 2 cups hazelnut gelatohomemade or good shop-bought
- 2 cups chocolate gelato
- 2 ⅛ oz dark chocolate
- ¼ cup double cream
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat ¼ cup double cream until steaming, pour over 2 ⅛ oz dark chocolate and stir until smooth. Chill until firm, then roll into 6 small balls and freeze for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Soften 2 cups hazelnut gelato and 2 cups chocolate gelato for 5 minutes. Line six cups with cling film.
Step 3: Put a scoop of hazelnut gelato in each cup, press a chocolate ball into the middle, then cover with a scoop of chocolate gelato. Gather up the cling film and twist it tightly into a ball. Common mistake: letting the gelato get too soft; refreeze for 15 minutes if it starts to melt.
Step 4: Freeze the balls for at least 4 hours, until very firm.
Step 5: Mix 3 tbsp cocoa powder and 2 tbsp icing sugar. Unwrap each tartufo, roll it quickly in the cocoa and serve straight away, or freeze again on a tray. Let them stand for 5 minutes before eating so the centre softens.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 420 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 26 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tartufo di Pizzo take?
- About 60 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of double cream?
- Whipping cream, same amount (less rich; whips softer).
- What can I use instead of cocoa powder?
- Drinking chocolate, same amount (sweeter, so cut the sugar).
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