Un record-breaking cannoli, over 21 meters long, the one made by the members of Ristoworld Italy of city of Caltanissetta last Sunday. Here is all the detailed information on the new record world registered “Made in Sicily".
The record-breaking cannolo made by Ristoworld members
A new challenge won by the members of Ristoworld Italia, led by the Catanese and founder, Chef Andrea Finocchiaro, from master pastry chef Lillo Defraia and from all over the team of chefs and pastry chefs gathered in the central square of Caltanissetta, the city where the cannon, to give life to what has been defined as "an work of high confectionery engineering“A work expertly planned over several years in its various phases assembled by professionals.
There were many objective difficulties in achieving this feat, first and foremost the preservation of the cannoli after filling them with ricotta, which, for the entire duration of the attempt, was kept in a refrigerated vehicle to perfectly guarantee the cold chain.
An initiative aimed at revitalizing the city of Caltanissetta in the world to provide new social, economic, and employment opportunities. The mission behind this highly active organization has been pursued, and once again, with commitment and dedication, it has achieved great success and recognition for its work. valorization of Sicilian excellence.
The cannolo
The cannolo is theemblem of typical Sicilian pastry making because it is not only beautiful and delicious but it represents the culture and traditions of our territoryThere are numerous and often controversial theories about the origins of this dessert. It's even thought to have Arab origins, as the Arabs mixed ricotta with sugar to create a creamy consistency.
The name refers to the river reeds that the wafer was rolled around until a few decades ago during its preparation.Cannoli" is a dialect term that indicates a sort of tap, as in the case of one of the historic fountains of the city of Catania (fountain of the "setti cannola").
The cannolo is made with a pastry shell fried in lard and a filling of sifted and sweetened sheep's or goat's ricotta. Candied fruit, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts are added to the filling. Finally, a dusting of powdered sugar embellishes the dessert.
The Nissa origins of the cannolo
Some historians maintain that the cannolo was invented by cloistered nuns, modifying and reworking the ancient recipe; according to other historians, however, it was the women of the countless harem who populated the city of Caltanissetta (“Kalt El Nissa” (A phrase that in Arabic means "Castle of Women"). It is believed that the emir's mistresses who inhabited the castle also used to prepare sweets using typical Sicilian ingredients. According to tradition, their being concubines is responsible for the cannoli's particular shape, a clear homage to the sultan.
Another source, however, claims that cannoli were first prepared in a convent near Caltanissetta. Some believe that the concubines later converted and became nuns. What we know for sure is that its roots date back to Arab domination in Sicily (from 827 to 1091).
Another theory is supported by journalist and historian Gaetano Basile, who explains that the cannolo originated as a Carnival dessert, a sort of joke, something fun and irreverent due to its reference to the phallic shape (an elongated outer shell filled with ricotta cream). To make it presentable at the table, cuts were made on both sides. And that's how the cannolo as we know and consume it today was born.
In many flavors and in many variations, there is also the deconstructed cannolo, it is part of the list of Traditional Agri-food Products (PAT) held by the Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policies and is theemblem of the Sicilian in the world!
“The longest cannolo in the world”
The feat of breaking every record was accomplished by the team coordinated by the master pastry chef from Nisseno Lillo Defraia, knight of the Italian Republic, assisted by Luigi Li Veli, Guinness procedures expert.
It is not the first time that the master pastry chef Lillo Defraia is attempting a similar feat. In fact, in 2022, Defraia created the “rolled“(typical dessert from Caltanissetta) longest in the world.
The idea of setting a record had been in the works for some time, and it took three years of work to make it a reality, thanks to the skill of pastry chefs from various associations from across Italy, who worked together passionately to achieve the goal and raise the city's reputation. Thirty pastry chefs in total created the super cannolo.
The record numbers
The cannolo is long 21 meters and 43 centimeters, a length never reached before!
To realize the Guinness World Record were used over 600 kilos of ricotta mixed between sheep and goat, sugar is 240 kg, and then cinnamon, chocolate chips and chopped pistachiosThe ten large wafers were created by the professionals of Ristoworld Italy, in particular by the Silicato family (cannoli producers), Vito Mazzarino and the Ghiran team of Giuseppe Coco
the event
Location of the successful event Corso Umberto Sunday 11 September, preceded by other important events such as the setting up of a exhibition, the rediscovery of the city's confectionery locations, , Presentation of the latest book by Knight Franco Di Guardo.
A 30-meter table was set up for the occasion. At 7:00 PM, the RECORD was unofficially announced in the presence of ROBERT SHERMAN, delegated directly from London. The length of the cake was measured in the presence of a notary. Official certification is now awaited. Guinness World Record before the end of the year.
Many residents and others were present, ready to taste the cannoli, which was also made available to the less fortunate through the mediation of specific associations.
An echo for the city
The event was organized by Ristoworld Italy under the patronage of Sicily region through the Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment and City of Caltanissetta and Sac Catania Airport Company and Caltanissetta Chamber of Commerce and Proloco, Confcommercio and public and private partners (including The International Pastry Magazine).
Television and print journalists were present, including the correspondent of Strip the News Cristiano Militello.
Furthermore, Aic Sicilia and Ristoworld Italia have created and distributed gluten-free cannoli.
Godmother of the event Anna Martano, prefect for Sicily of the Italian Academy of Gastronomy and Gastrosophy.
The guests of honor were a delegation of U.S. Navy Anti-Submarine Flight Group personnel and U.S. Air Force personnel from Sigonella Air Base, who commemorated the anniversary of the September 11 attacks with the singing of the American and Italian national anthems.
The other record-breaking cannoli
In 2018, the Ristoworld team, led by Andrea Finocchiaro, had created, on the occasion of the sweet festival, in the municipality of Aci Bonaccorsi in the province of Catania, a cannolo of over 7 meters, 25 meters wide and weighing over 150 kg, made with ricotta cheese and pistachio dropsThis was an attempt to build on the record set in Caltanissetta. The previous record was set by pastry chefs from Palermo in 2014 with a 5-meter-long, 230-kilo cannolo.
The sponsors are happy and satisfied with the undertaking, mayor of the city of Caltanissetta, the President of Ristoworld Italy Marcello Di Proietto and Chef Andrea Finocchiaro.
A real celebration for everyone and by everyone to celebrate the cannolo!
photo: Ristoworld Italy
