Mustacciuoli
Introduction '''Mustacciuoli''' (also known as '''mustaccioli''' or '''mostaccioli''') is a traditional pastry from Naples, usually served at Christmas time.
Description Mustaccioli takes the form of a parallelogram, and consist of a soft, spiced, cake-like interior, covered in chocolate. In recent years, they are many variations of mostaccioli sold in Naples, where the chocolate glaze may be replaced by a white chocolate frosting or icing sugar and candied fruit. Mustacciolis are often sold alongside other Neapolitan sweets including Roccocò, raffiuoli, susamielli, and struffoli at Christmas time.
History Neapolitan mostacciolis were mentioned by Bartolomeo Scappi, personal cook of Pope Pius V as part of his ''pranzo alli XVIII di ottobre'' (October 18 lunch).
Etymology The term ''mustacciuoli'' derives from the Latin ''mustaceus'' and is prey to various paretimologies. Some say it derives from the Latin ''mustum'', linked to the use of must in some ancient recipes as a sweetener., others from ''mustax'', which is a type of laurel. Originally the '' mustaceum'' was a wedding cake, wrapped in bay leaves that gave aroma during cooking. Hence the proverb ''loreolam in mustace quaerere'', that is: to look uselessly in the focaccia for burnt bay leaves. Another origin could derive from the ancient Greek ''μάσταξ (mástax) '' which means morsels, similar to ''μαστάζω (mastázō)'' which means to chew or eat.
Related sweets in other regions * 'Nzuddha: version in Calabria* Mustazzoli: version in Salento
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