Sfogliatella Pastry

"Do you remember our finger-friendly, fall-season appetizer called Eggplant Parmigiana Sfogliatelle? We created those savory morsels in the image of a sweet pastry called Sfogliatella [sfoh-lee-ah-TELL-a], which has roots in Napoli, Italy. Our Eggplant Sfogliatelle were such a success (and they’re coming back next holiday season!), it only made sense to introduce our customers to the unique treat upon which they were based. Say hello to Trader Joe’s Naples Style Sfogliatella Pastry! In Italian, Sfogliatella means “small, thin leaf or layer,” which speaks to the incredibly fine, crisp layers that make up the exterior of this pastry. The laborious lamination technique used to create our Sfogliatella is done almost entirely by hand, by artisans skilled in the Sfogliatella craft. It involves making what amounts to pasta dough, which is rolled into long, super-thin sheets, and topped with vegetable-oil. The sheets are then rolled into a long cylinder, creating dozens of thin layers. Finally, the cylinder is cut into discs that are each gently hand-pressed into a wide, conical shape. After being loaded with a delicious filling that includes ricotta cheese and candied orange peel, the Pastries are partially closed, somewhat resembling a clam shell. In addition to their authentic construction and amazing taste, what really makes Trader Joe’s Classic Naples Style Sfogliatella Pastry stand out from other versions is their ease of preparation. They’re ready to bake from frozen (no proofing), and can be enjoyed after just 35-40 minutes in your 350°F conventional oven!"