Holy Cannoli!

Have you ever had cannoli? For those of you that don’t know, cannoli are a traditional Sicilian pastry dessert that consists of a fried tube of dough with a sweetened, creamy, ricotta filling. The filling can be flavored, sometimes crushed nuts or chocolate chips are added to the sides, and then the entire dessert is dusted with powdered sugar. Yum!

I had a dream last night that the world was going into a panic about the world ending, and in my dream I made sure to find a pastry shop that sold cannoli so I could have one last taste before utter chaos broke loose (yes, my subconscious priorities seem a little skewed…)! When I woke up from my dream, I was extremely confused! For one thing, I did not buy in one bit about May 21^st being the end of the world, and secondly, I’ve only had cannoli once and although it was so rich and delicious, I haven’t really thought about it too much since I ate it. And now, after this dream, I can’t stop thinking about cannoli! Maybe it’s because of the attention revolved around Judgment Day, maybe I’m having traveling/East Coast withdrawals, or maybe I’m just craving something sweet but getting my hands on some cannoli is all I can think about lately! Obviously, my mind was desperately trying to tell me something important: Steph, find some delicious cannoli! I must listen to it.

The first and only time I tried one was at a popular pastry shop, Mike’s Pastry, in Boston’s North End (also known as “Little Italy” there). So now that I’m back on the West Coast, where do I find cannoli? I’m thinking that my best bet is somewhere in San Francisco…

Here is the amaretto flavored one I had in Boston—bottom half dipped in chocolate, and almonds sprinkled on the ends–it was so creamy, sweet and rich!

The bakery that started it all...Yum!

Here is a recipe from Pete over at pete bakes! for home-made cannoli if you are daring enough to give it a try! I may have to attempt it myself, or order a DIY cannoli kit from Mike’s Pastry. Either way, I am determined to get my hands on some cannoli soon! If you have any good recipes or know of any good places where I can find one (or 10!) around the Bay Area, let me know! Thanks in advance. How did everyone else spend their Judgment Day?