Cannoli ~ Deconstructed Plus Winners Announced :)

If you ever get a craving for the fabulous Sicilian treat . . .

Photo credit: Paolo Piscolla

Cannoli! :)

But you either don't have the time to  make them yourself, or you don't happen to live near a wonderful Italian bakery.  You may want to keep this recipe in mind.




All of your favorite flavors as in a traditional Cannoli but very easy to assemble. We can't really call this dessert Cannoli, because Cannoli means "little tubes", but if you don't mind bending the rules a little bit ~ it's a very satisfying dessert.





In this version lightly fried wonton triangles stand in for the pastry "tubes" but the filling and some of the accompaniments remain true to the original. The fun part is you can add "extras" if you wish ~ I had a basket of raspberries (which I prefer over the Maraschino Cherries) so I added them as well.  Later I remembered I had put up some Bing Cherries in Cognac earlier this past summer and could have offered  those instead. Oh well . . . next time!
Mini Chocolate Chips work in place of grated  chocolate and I added some chopped pistachios, as I have had in some versions. But actually, since we're already taking liberties with the authentic recipe, almost anything goes. 
And the good news is ~ it all can be made ahead; fry the wonton triangles and keep them in an airtight container. (You can fry the wonton triangles a couple of days ahead.) To fry: heat a couple of inches of vegetable oil in a deep saucepan or pot, drop  the triangles into the hot oil, a few at a time.



  They only take a few moments to turn golden brown; remove with a slotted spoon (or spider) and place them on paper towels to help drain any excess oil. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container. You can mix up the dip hours  ahead and keep it covered and refrigerated.
When it comes time to serve just put the filling in a bowl, garnish, arrange the crisp wontons around and dust the triangles  with confectioner's (powdered) sugar and enjoy.
If you would like a recipe for the cannoli filling,  there is a good one HERE.
I hope you enjoy!
~*~*~*~*~

And NOW the two winners of the Ariosto Natural Herb Seasoning Blends Library  ~  from the Ariosto Spa Buccinasco company in Italy!!

Congratulations to:

Kathy from "Sweet Up-North Mornings"

Melanie Montgomery from "Oh Slow Down ~ Life as a Newlywed"

Ladies, if you'll be so kind as to email me your shipping addresses, I'll pass the information along to the Ariosto Spa Buccinasco company so they can mail your winnings to you.
onceuponaplate (at) gmail  [DOT] com

Thank you everyone for participating in this  drawing ~ please check back often, as we'll have another giveaway coming up soon.

Blessings,  Mari xo