Now that I sorted out my thoughts on pasta frolla (sweet pastry dough) in my previous post, I thought to make these fragottini or “little pockets” mentioned by Carol Field in The Italian Baker, the book under review by The Cookbook Guru for July to September. These are listed in the chapter on biscotti, right before buccellati, fig and almond filled pasta frolla biscotti from Sicily. Also, we were recently given a gift of pastry biscotti from Italy filled with chocolate, almond and cinnamon, although the fat of choice in the pastry was lard, not butter. Seems like this technique can include any number of fillings (including any excess jam in the cupboard) and a clever way to use those scraps of leftover pasta frolla – very versitile and right up my alley.
In fact, I noticed that they are similar to the ones I made earlier from a Mrs Beeton recipe. Beeton’s jam turnovers employ a slightly different technique in folding and glazing, but the basic idea is pretty much the same. The pasta frolla used here is exactly like Mrs Beeton’s sweet shortcrust pastry. A universal recipe by different names?
Fragottini
Use any of the pasta frolla recipes listed in my previous post for these little pocket biscotti. The amount of jam listed is approximately what you will need for a single batch of pasta frolla which makes about 2-1/2 dozen. Note that Field indicates raspberry jam can be used instead of apricot, but I would think any jam would do.
- Pasta Frolla
- Approximately 100g apricot jam
- 1 egg
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (about 350 degrees F). Prepare a baking tray by lining it with baking parchment.
Take your pasta frolla out of the refrigerator and let it warm up for about 5 minutes – this will make it easier to roll. Dust a board and rolling pin with flour and roll out the dough to about 0.6 cm (about 1/4 inch) thick. Using a 7.6cm (3 inch) circular biscuit cutter (plain edge or crinkled), cut biscuits. Scraps can be removed to be re-rolled.
Brush the circles with beaten egg. In the centre of each place a small amount of jam and fold over. Crimp the seams with your fingers or with the tines of a fork. Be sure to seal them well as they have a tendency to leak while being baked. Place these on the prepared baking tray a little apart and brush the tops with more egg.
Bake for about 20 minutes. Remove when golden colour and cool on a rack.
An Evolving Life 
Mmmm, mmmm. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLike
Yes, indeed that is what frolla means- shortbread or short pastry. Buttery lovely stuff.
Pasta of course just means pastry, as in pasticceria, or pastry shop. Pasta for pasta or paste for sweet things. I love the word ‘un pasticcio’, which also means ‘a mess’ and that’s what happens when I make pastry
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to be horrible with pastry – leaden hands when you need a light touch – but I learned a lot from Bertinet’s book. Now I can make a credible pastry. I love how different languages construct food terms. Gives you a bit of insight as to how they view their culinary world. Un pasticcio is a useful term to have around – usually explains my kitchen.
LikeLike
Stop it now, you are making me hungry. Can I put tofu in them? Ha, just kidding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure. Tofu and chocolate, perhaps? No more pastry recipes to come (at least for some time).
LikeLiked by 1 person
The very very best crostata I have ever eaten was in Italy, in a private home. It was filled with homemade plum jam. The crisp sweet short biscuit crust was incredible. Thanks for the reminder, I think once settled I need to try replicating that tart.
LikeLike
I do love a good jam crostata. Was it a free-form one, or was it baked in a tart pan? Apricot or plum jam crostatas are my favourites – of course, made with homemade jam. I agree having an alternative sweet buttery crust in one’s repertoire is a good idea. You can’t beat the shortbready-like texture of pasta frolla!
LikeLike
The crostata was baked in a tin with a lattice top. Simple and delicious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Francesca (and all those nonnas) might be right – with an ultra buttery dough, don’t roll it out, but press it into the tin with your fingers. Might give Field’s pasta frolla another go.
LikeLike
I also have experimented with different crusts. Your pasta frolla looks delicious, especially in those little pockets.
LikeLike
It is good to experiment, but even better when you hit on the perfect combination for you. I now have three different pastry recipes that I use for various purposes. The pasta frolla one is the most buttery and is excellent in making these little filled biscuits.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Cookbook Guru and commented:
So you’ve created your Pasta Frolla from yesterday’s post shared by Debi at My Kitchen Witch and you’re wondering what to make with it? Here’s another informative and wonderful post from Debi to give you a tasty treat using up this pastry.
Happy Baking and Happy Reading,
Leah
LikeLike
love the idea of anything that uses up both pastry scraps and jam – I really have to get through more jam 😉
LikeLike
I used to make cinnamon swirls with the scraps – just like my mother used to, but these little pockets are much better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually just made a batch for the kids’ lunch boxes – half strawberry jam and half marmalade 🙂 Very tasty, but as you said hard to stop them leaking!
LikeLiked by 1 person