Tartufo
Encyclopedia
Tartufo is an Italian
ice-cream dessert. It is usually composed of two or more flavors of ice cream with either fruit syrup or frozen fruit - typically raspberry, strawberry or cherry - in the center. It is typically covered in a shell made of chocolate, but cinnamon or nuts are also used.
by French chefs and were chocolate confections made to resemble like their prized fungi cousin in the Périgord
region of France
. These sweet confections were given at Christmas time as gifts. Sometime during the Victorian era
, the frozen truffle came about when the idea of molding ice creams into shapes such as flowers, fruit, and other foods became popular. During recent times ice cream "truffles" or "tartufi" have regained popularity.
in America. In Italy, it is prepared professionally as well as sold commercially. It is rarely sold commercially in America, though it is a common menu item in Italian restaurants as well as other gourmet restaurants. Recipes are often hard to find in English, and many restaurant cooks buy them privately from outside companies.
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
ice-cream dessert. It is usually composed of two or more flavors of ice cream with either fruit syrup or frozen fruit - typically raspberry, strawberry or cherry - in the center. It is typically covered in a shell made of chocolate, but cinnamon or nuts are also used.
Etymology
The word "Tartufo" means "Truffle" in Italian; tartufi are also referred to as Italian truffles. "Tartufo" may also translate to a type of edible fungus, but it is well known as an ice cream dessert.It is also known as "Bomba".Origin
The original tartufi were created just after the French revolutionFrench Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
by French chefs and were chocolate confections made to resemble like their prized fungi cousin in the Périgord
Périgord
The Périgord is a former province of France, which corresponds roughly to the current Dordogne département, now forming the northern part of the Aquitaine région. It is divided into four regions, the Périgord Noir , the Périgord Blanc , the Périgord Vert and the Périgord Pourpre...
region of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. These sweet confections were given at Christmas time as gifts. Sometime during the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
, the frozen truffle came about when the idea of molding ice creams into shapes such as flowers, fruit, and other foods became popular. During recent times ice cream "truffles" or "tartufi" have regained popularity.
Preparation
Tartufo is usually composed of two flavors of ice cream which are sculpted together with the hands. If there is a fruit in the middle, ice cream may be scooped out from the middle and the fruit placed inside, or fruit syrup may be used to paste the two scoops together. If its shell is chocolate, special chocolate is usually melted and either dipped or poured over the ice cream ball after being cooled to lukewarm - though they can also be rolled in the chocolate - and then frozen. If its shell is cinnamon, it is usually rolled in cinnamon before freezing. If it uses nuts, they are usually placed on by hand if large and rolled on if smaller. For a better shape, circular molds are sometimes used.Popularity
Tartufo are common in Italy but still considered a delicacyDelicacy
A delicacy is a food item that is considered highly desirable in certain cultures. Often this is because of unusual flavors or characteristics or because it is rare....
in America. In Italy, it is prepared professionally as well as sold commercially. It is rarely sold commercially in America, though it is a common menu item in Italian restaurants as well as other gourmet restaurants. Recipes are often hard to find in English, and many restaurant cooks buy them privately from outside companies.