Ciambelle fritte di Carnevale (Graffe)

Ciambelle fritte di Carnevale (Graffe) - Carnival fried dounuts

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How to describe the taste of these fried Italian Canival donuts?...Le frittelle di Carnevale also called "Graffe" in Naple.... They remind me my chilhood, the taste, the sugar sticking on your fingers and around your lips when you eat them.... I was looking for the perfect recipe ... after several trials I must say that this one is very close to perfection...my ciambelle fritte tasted just like the ones I used to buy in the Italian bakkery!!! The dought of these fried donuts can also be used to make the Italian "Bomboloni alla crema" also called "Bombe fritte"....but we will talk about this another time ;)

Makes about 15 Carnival fried donuts
Ingredients:
500 gr strong flour (I used the one for Italian pizza)
1 and half cup of lukewarm full fat milk
50gr of fresh yeast
1 medium boiled, peeled and smashed potato
The grated peel of 1 large organic lemon (or 2 small)
2 tbs of extra viirgin olive oil
2 tbs of Grappa
1 egg
1 liter of frying oil
2 cups of granulated sugar, for decoration

Instructions:
1) In a small bowl melt the fresh yeast in the lukewarm milk together with a pinch of sugar, set apart.
2) Mix flour, oil, smashed potato, grated lemon, egg, sugar and Grappa with your hands on a worktop or in a food mixer.
3)Add the milk-yeast mixture, mix well and work the dough till it gets elastic and even (this can take 10 to 15 minutes).
4) When the dough is ready you can shape the donuts: make the dough flat, using a rollig pin, then cut the discs using 2 round cutters, a large one and a very small one (I used a large glass and a wine screw cup). Cut the big disc first then the internal small disc.
5) Place the donuts on a large tray, cover with a kitchen towel, place the tray in a warm place (temperature must be between 25 and 30°C) or in the oven at 30°C till the donuts double the size.
6) Once the donuts have doubled their size, keep them warm and pour the frying oil in a large frying pan.

7) When the oil is hot place the donuts and fry till they turn golden brown.

8) Dry each donut with a kitchen paper and place it in the granulated sugar, cover both sides with the sugar.

Place the canival fried donuts on a serving plate and serve them warm.....they are delicious!!!!

Buon appetito and......Buon Carnevale!!

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