Testa di Turco

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

The name of this Sicilian dessert translates to Turk's head and stems from the post-Crusades era and the rather twisted symbolism of eating the defeated Saracens’ heads. In most parts of Sicily, testa di Turco refers to a cream puff pastry that is baked in the form of a turban, and it is then either topped with honey or filled with ricotta or custard cream. Nowadays, this decadent dessert is prepared all over the island, especially around December 8th, when Sicilians celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.