The Castagnaccio Recipe A traditional cake with a dense, moist texture.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing

1⁄3 cup (2oz) raisins

1⁄4 cup (scant 1oz) sliced almonds

1⁄4 cup (scant 1oz) pine nuts

3 cups chestnut flour

2 tbsp sugar

pinch of salt

13⁄4 cup milk or water

1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary leaves

zest of 1 orange

Method

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease the cake pan and line the base with parchment paper. Cover the raisins in warm water and leave for 5 minutes to plump them up. Drain.

2 Put the almonds and pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast gently for 5–10 minutes, until lightly browned. Sift the chestnut flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar and salt.

3 Using a balloon whisk, gradually whisk in the milk or water to produce a thick, smooth batter. Whisk in the olive oil and pour the batter into the pan. Scatter over

the raisins, rosemary, zest, and nuts.

4 Bake at the center of the oven for 50–60 minutes until the surface is dry and cracked and the edges slightly browned. The cake will not really rise. Leave in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully turn it out and leave it to cool completely on a wire rack. Remove the parchment paper.

STORE:

The Castagnaccio will keep in an airtight container for 3 days.


NOTE:
Chestnut flour is available from Italian delicatessens.

Castagnaccio Recipe