The legend of these biscuits is linked to an imaginary invasion by the Turks, who crossed the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines Mountains to reach Rome. The Sabine women, always very wise, offered these cookies to the Turks to avoid the looting, fires, and rapes… in short, they tried to bribe the bad guys!

Turchetti cookies

  • Preparation time: 40 minutes
  • Ingredients for about 40 biscuits
  • Difficulty: Easy recipe

  • Ingredients
  • 1 lb. 2oz (500 grams) of all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs (+ 1 yolk for brushing)
  • 7 oz (200 grams) of sugar
  • 11 oz (300 grams) of toasted hazelnuts
  • 2 ½ oz (60 grams) of extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 oz (100 grams) of milk
  • 1 sachet of baking powder
  • The grated peel of ½ lemon
  1. Instructions
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Coarsely chop the hazelnuts.
  4. Mix all the ingredients well and add a little milk at a time until the dough becomes soft but not sticky.
  5. Take small amounts of the dough and form finger-thick cords. Squeeze them a little with the palm of your hand and cut them diagonally.
  6. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Brush them with the beaten egg yolk.
  7. Bake in the oven for about fifteen minutes or until golden brown.