Cuccia - Sicilian Ricotta and Wheat Berry Dessert
Cuccia is a traditional Sicilian recipe enjoyed on December 13th for the feast of Saint Lucy. This easy and flavorful spoon dessert combines cooked wheat berries with a sweet ricotta cream garnished with cinnamon, chocolate and candied fruit.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 530kcal
Ingredients
- 500 grams whole milk ricotta about 2 cups
- ⅔ cup soft wheat berries
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 tbsps dark chocolate chips left whole or roughly chopped
- grated zest of ½ orange
- 3 tbsps chopped pistachios
- candied orange peel a few strips, as desired , left whole or chopped
Instructions
- Place the ricotta in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to drain excess water.
- Meanwhile, rinse the wheat berries, place in a sauce pan and cover with plenty of water. Add salt, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook until tender, about 50 minutes. Drain well and refrigerate until completely cooled.
- Place the ricotta and sugar in a bowl and use a wooden spoon or whisk to combine the ingredients until creamy. Stir in the cinnamon and orange zest.
- Add the chocolate chips and the cooled wheat berries. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Spoon the ricotta mixture into individual serving bowls (I used 4) and garnish with candied orange, chopped pistachios (if desired) and extra chocolate chips. Refrigerate before serving for at least a couple of hours.
Notes
Can cuccia be made with precooked wheat berries?
Yes you definitely can. Precooked wheat berries, known as grano cotto, are commonly found in Italian grocery stores. I have seen it in 550 gram quantities in a glass jar. Be sure to rinse the grano cotto befores using it and drain well.
How long does cuccia keep for?
Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days for the best texture.
Please note that the nutritional information provided is approximate and may vary according to exact ingredients used and portion size.
Nutrition
Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 286mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 582IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 329mg | Iron: 2mg
