Xerotigana: Honey-Dipped Spiral Pastries

Ingredients:


For the dough:

6 - 8 cups of all-purpose flour

2/3 cup of freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice

2/3 cup of olive oil

1 cup + 2 tablespoons of water



For the syrup:

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of honey

1 cup of water

1 stick of cinnamon



For the topping:

1/4 cup of toasted sesame seeds

1/4 cup of finely chopped walnuts

1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon



olive oil for frying

Preparation:

Combine 6 cups of flour and all remaining dough ingredients in a large bowl or plastic tub and knead well for at least 5 minutes. Add more flour as needed to make a smooth firm dough.



Let rest for 30 minutes.



While the dough is resting, make the syrup. Bring all syrup ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan and boil for 15 minutes. Turn the heat to the lowest possible setting to keep it hot without boiling.



Note: How to Make the Spirals with photos.

Divide the dough into equal-sized pieces, about the size of your fist. Roll out each piece of dough using the highest (thinnest) setting on a pasta machine or with a floured rolling pin, into a long strip, about 30-36 inches long and 5 inches wide, sprinkling with flour if needed to keep it dry. Cut lengthwise into strips 1 inch wide using a fluted pastry wheel. Each piece of rolled-out dough should make 5 long strips.



Loop the long strip of dough loosely around two fingers, then three, then all four, continuing to make a loose spiral shape.



Drop into 2 inches of hot oil. The dough is so thin that it will puff as it fries and will tend to uncurl. Place the tines of a fork in the center of the spiral and turn to keep the spiral shape. When lightly golden on all sides, remove from the oil with a slotted spoon or spatula. Let excess oil drip off and drain on paper towels. Do not stack the spirals.



Place one spiral at a time in the steaming hot syrup (increase heat if necessary) for 5-6 seconds on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a serving platter. Combine walnuts and cinnamon. Sprinkle with a little of the walnut and cinnamon mixture, followed by the sesame seeds. Layer spirals on top, sprinkling each with the toppings.



Tip: How much to sprinkle? At least a good sized pinch on each spiral... of the walnut/cinnamon mixture and of the sesame seeds.