Silvia’s Italian Table

Strucolo Di Mele e Mirti l l i (Apple and Blueberry Strudel) ThenorthernItalianversionofthefamousstrudel.

Serves:12-15IngredientsForthepastry

• 250gplainflour• 2tablespoonsofmeltedbutter• 1/2cupwater• 1/2egg,beaten(reservetherestforpaintingthepastryjustbeforecooking)• 1tspscastersugar

Forthefilling

• 5-6largenewseasonunpeeledapplessuchasJazz,GrannySmithorFuji,thinlyslicedwithamandolin

• 2tbsprapadurasugar(orcastersugar)• Zestandjuiceof1lemon• 3tbspsultanas,presoakedingrappaorrumfor1hour,welldrained• 4-5tbspbreadcrumbs• 1/2cupofblueberries• 2-3tbspofroughlychoppedalmonds• Afewknobsofbutter

Forbrushing

• Theleftovereggmixedwith1tbspofmilk

Silvia’s Italian Table

• Castersugarforsprinkling• Almondflakes

MethodTomakethepastry–placeflourandsugarinabowl.Makeawellinthecentreandaddthebeatenegg,thewaterandthebutter.Add1-2tablespoonsofwaterifthedoughseemstoodry,butkeepinmindthatasyouworkitwithyourhands,itwillbecomesofter.Kneadforabout10minutesoruntilsmoothandsoft,likealoosepastadough.Wrapinplasticfilmandallowittorestfor30minutes.Inthemeantime,makethefilling.Preheattheovento180degreesandlinealargetraywithbakingpaper.Placetheappleslicesintoalargebowl.Addthelemonjuiceandmixwelltopreventtheapplesfromdiscoloring.Addthezest,breadcrumbs,almonds,sugardrainedsultanasandblueberries.Setaside.Generouslyflouryourworkingsurfaceandremovethepastryfromtheplasticwrap.Rollthepastrywitharollingpinuntilit’safewmillimetresthickandanalmostseethroughlargedisk.Placetherolledoutpastryontoafloured,largeandcleanteatowelorcalico.Gobacktoyourfillinganddrainanyexcessliquid.Reservesometodrizzleontop.Laythefillingonto1/3ofthepastry,dotitwithafewknobsofbutter,thenusetheteatoweltohelpyourollthestrucolointoalongsausageandcarefullyliftontothelinedbakingtrayandgiveitacoarseshoeshape.Brushthetopofthepastrywiththebrushingmixture,drizzlesomeofthemixturejuicesandsprinklecastersugarandflakedalmondsontop.Bakefor45-50minutesat180Coruntilgoldenbrown.Coolfor20-30minutesbeforecuttingintoittopreventthefillingfromsplatteringout.Serveasitisorwithice-cream,custardorthickGreekyogurt.Anyleftoverswillkeepinthefridgeforupto3-4days,butarebettereatenwarmedupintheoven.