Zuccotto

Zuccotto (pronounced [dzukˈkɔtto, tsuk-]) is an Italian dessert with origins in Florence. Zuccotto is a semi-frozen, chilled dessert made with alchermes, cake and ice cream.[1] It can be frozen, then thawed before serving. This dessert is traditionally made in a special pumpkin-shaped mold (zuccotto means "little pumpkin" in Italian). It is widely believed to have been inspired by the dome of Florence's duomo (the city's main cathedral). Others allude to its shape as closely resembling a cardinal's skullcap or zucchetto. The original recipe included ricotta cheese, cocoa and citrus peel for the filling; it was actually monochrome, white. The outside of the biscuit was impregnated with essence or alkermes[it] liqueur, which gave the dessert a vibrant red color. The zucotto was rediscovered only in the 1930s, but underwent some changes to suit twentieth-century tastes.[2] The dessert is thought to have been invented by the famous Renaissance chef Buonatalenti.[3] Nowadays it consists of a biscuit that is soaked in liqueur, such as amaretto. In addition to ricotta, the filling usually consists of gelato, which makes it look like semifreddo, butter cream or cream, cottage cheese, chocolate chunks and almonds. There are recipes with cherries, fruit and dried fruit. The top is sprinkled with icing sugar. After cooking, the zucotto is chilled or frozen.[4]

Zuccotto

Zuccotto with dripping chocolate topping
Course	Dessert
Place of origin	Italy
Region or state	Florence
Main ingredients	Cake, ice cream, brandy
Media: Zuccotto