dolcetti alla ricotta e cocco!

Another cool thing about my apartment: there's a big church pretty much next door, so throughout the day you hear the bells ringing. It's a nice sound.

I'd post pictures of it except that it's a little dark and cloudy today, so the photos wouldn't come out well. I'll wait til it's nice and sunny. I bought some maps (one of Sicily and one of Palermo) to put up on the walls, and of course I have my little james dean photos, and i bought a couple of spider plants... so today it's feeling much more homey.

Anyway, I wanted to post this dessert recipe that my roommate Maria Grazia just made this morning. I hadn't previously thought to post recipes, but it makes sense that as I try to familiarize myself with Sicilian cuisine I should share it with you, too, along the way. Plus this way I can keep track of the recipes I come across.

All right, then: Dolcetti alla Ricotta e Cocco

(from http://butterfly3.splinder.com/tag/dolcetti+alla+ricotta+e+cocco)

1 cup fresh ricotta
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
cocoa powder as needed

Mix the sugar and coconut in a bowl, then add ricotta and stir until mixture becomes homogeneous. Shape into little balls, then roll the balls in cocoa powder to coat. (You can also skip the cocoa powder and roll the balls in more shredded coconut to make an outer layer of coconut.) Refrigerate. This makes about 18 little palline; you can multiply it as desired.

I can attest that they are very very good. And simple to make. I think they'd be good for parties or hors d'oeuvre-type gatherings. Okay, a dopo!