Grostoli - Crostoli - Fried Pastry Stripes

PREPARATION:

In a small saucepan, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the sugar dissolves.
​​​​​​​In a separate bowl, melt the butter. Beat the egg whites separately until stiff peaks form.
On a pastry board, make a mound of flour shaped like a fountain.
In the center, add the grated lemon zest, baking powder, rum (or wine), and vanilla sugar.
Gradually add the melted butter and the yolk-sugar mixture.
Knead vigorously until you get a firm, dry dough.

Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough out into strips, tie each strip into a knot, and fry in hot deep oil.
When the crostoli rise to the surface, remove them and place on kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.

Serve on a plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
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