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Vecchia di Mezza Quaresima

The Vecchia di Mezza Quaresima (Mid-Lent Old Woman) is a traditional specialty from Gubbio, prepared for the “Carnevaletto” or Mid-Lent, a celebration held halfway through Lent, between Carnival and Easter.

  • 350 g of flour
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 50 g of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of peanut oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 egg yolk
  • zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 sachet of baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon of milk
  • jam to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
To make the Vecchia di Mezza Quaresima, start by placing the flour in a mound. In the centre, add the butter softened at room temperature, the tablespoon of oil, sugar, eggs, and the half sachet of baking powder. Work the dough quickly to avoid overheating it. Once the ingredients are combined, add the milk to make the dough easier to handle, and form a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes. After resting, divide the dough into two parts: one larger and one smaller. Take the smaller portion and add cocoa, kneading it until the colour is uniform. Using the white dough, roll out a thin sheet with a rolling pin and shape it into a female figure. Use the remaining dough to create edges and sections for the Vecchia’s dress, then fill them with jam. For a more colourful and creative touch, you can alternate different flavours of jam. To make your Vecchia even more realistic, cut decorative elements such as hair, hands, and other details from the cocoa dough. Finally, transfer the dessert to a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated ventilated oven at 180°C for 25-30 minutes, until the surface is golden. Once baked, let the dessert cool. And now, the most awaited moment: cutting the Vecchia!
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