Sicilian Cassata and its modifications
according to Lodovico's taste
This is the traditional cassata you commonly see in most patisseries
in Sicily,
specially in Western Sicily Colours and sweetness are the most relevant
characteristics.
Lodovico has abolished the round wall (often green due to mixing
to mashed pistaches) made of marzapane or almond pastry, because
it renders
the cake additionally sweet and additionally heavy for digestion. Morever, the
ricotta filling hidden inside is generally alternated
with small bits of black
chocolate and sometimes of white candies similar to those you see on the top
decoration.
Notice the large pieces of orange skin used for decoration in addition
to candied cherries and white watermelon
This Lodovico's similarly decorated version includes, mixed
in the ricotta with chocolate bits, also bits of orange
skin previously
boiled
in sugared water (a sort of candy operation on them).
You may distinguish them
here below,
where the same cake has been cut in
order to carefully examine the
internal mix
And finally, an alternative edition of a Lodovico's cassata, where the decoration is based mainly on the candied orange skin
Indeed, the rather sour flavour of this skin should produce
a pleasing taste due to the discontinuity between sweetened ricotta
black
chocolate
and bits of orange skin. The coupling between chocolate and orange skin is traditionally
appreciated.
A similar one was offered to a few Rectors invited at the 900 years
celebration of Bologna University