The Story of Biscotti Regina
Biscotti Regina, or regina cookies, hold a special place in Italian culinary tradition. These crunchy, aromatic delights, encrusted in a generous layer of sesame seeds, have a history as rich and textured as their nutty exteriors. Their origins offer a fascinating glimpse into the interplay of cultures around the Mediterranean.
What Are Biscotti Regina?
Biscotti Regina are small, oblong Sicilian cookies with a dense, crumbly texture, often flavored with vanilla or citrus zest. Their defining feature is a coating of sesame seeds, which toast as the cookies bake, releasing a warm, nutty aroma. We make our version with butter. But traditionally, they’re made with olive oil or lard, common in Sicilian baking, which often substitutes dairy with locally abundant ingredients.
Biscotti Regina are not overly sweet, reflecting the Sicilian penchant for balance in desserts. They are perfect companions to coffee or tea, enjoyed as a mid-morning snack or a light dessert.
The Origins of Biscotti Regina
The origins of Biscotti Regina are deeply rooted in Sicily's historical role as a crossroads of civilizations. Sicily, located at the heart of the Mediterranean, has been influenced by Greek, Roman, Arab, and Norman cultures, each of which left its mark on the island's cuisine.
Sesame seeds, a key ingredient in Biscotti Regina, were introduced to Sicily by Arab traders during their occupation of the island in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Arabs brought not only sesame seeds but also the culinary tradition of incorporating them into both savory and sweet dishes. The combination of sesame with a simple dough reflects this fusion of cultures.
Biscotti Regina: A Sicilian Favorite
Over time, Biscotti Regina became a beloved treat, valued for their pleasing nutty taste, long shelf life, and versatility. The cookies became a staple for Sicilian farmers and laborers, who valued them as a portable, energy-rich snack during long days in the fields. They’re also popular during festive occasions and as a symbol of hospitality.
Similar Cookies Around the Mediterranean
The societies of the Mediterranean basin, from Europe, to North Africa, to the Middle East, share a rich cultural and culinary heritage shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and conquest. Ingredients like olive oil, sesame seeds, honey, and spices weave through the cuisines of these regions, forming a common thread in dishes ranging from baklava to sesame-laden breads and cookies.
Here are several examples of sesame cookies from different Mediterranean cultures:
These traditional Easter cookies are often sprinkled with sesame seeds or nuts.
A ring-shaped cookie encrusted with sesame or nigella seeds, blending the sweetness of dough with the nuttiness of seeds.
A crisp sesame cookie popular in Syria and Lebanon, featuring a mix of sesame and pistachios.
These fried honey-coated sesame cookies celebrate special occasions.
A Family Legacy
Biscotti Regina are more than just cookies for our family; they represent the traditions my grandparents brought with them from Sicily to New York. These simple cookies are a personal link to the shared culinary heritage of the Mediterranean reflecting centuries of cultural diffusion. Recipes like sesame-encrusted cookies showcase how societies exchange ingredients and techniques shaping distinct, yet interconnected culinary traditions, traditions that my family, like so many others, have played a part in spreading around the world.