Susumelle – spiced Calabrian biscuits

A recipe that’s synonymous with the cold season in Calabria, susumelle – also known as pitte di San Martino – are dry, cinnamon-scented biscuits half-coated in chocolate. They are often prepared around the Christmas holidays, and served alongside many other delights – including the pitta ‘mpigliata – as part of a larger festive spread.

The recipe doesn’t include any eggs or fat, so the biscuits are on the hard side, also thanks to the hefty dose of honey in the dough. This said, their dryness ensures that they are long-lasting, and the chocolate covering makes them extremely moreish. Just make sure you dip them into some form of liquid – like coffee, tea or sweet wine – as you would, say, Tuscan cantuccini, to soften them a little before taking a bite.