Sbrisolana Cake

The Sbrisolana cake is typical of Mantua, an Italian city of just over 50,000 inhabitants located in Lombardy, in the north of the country. It is very simple to do and if we except the baking time, its basic preparation will not take us more than 10 minutes. It is also easy to remember the recipe because all the ingredients are mixed with the same weight.

INGREDIENTS

• 200 grams (7 oz) of white wheat flour
• 200 grams  (7 oz) of cornmeal
• 200 grams (7 oz)  of chopped almonds (not crushed)
• 200 grams (7 oz)  of sugar
• 200 grams (7 oz)  of lard
• 3 eggs
• The grated skin of a lemon
• Butter (to grease the mold)
• Icing sugar

In a bowl we mix all the ingredients kneading with our hands so that the mixture is homogeneous. This will be a bit difficult due to the presence of the lard, which is not very malleable, but in reality the mantovana cake - another name used for this recipe since Mantova is Mantua in Italian - is better when lumps form around the pieces of lard. Anyway, melt a bit the lard using the microwave.

We introduce the dough in a disposable silicone or aluminum mold. If we use the latter, it is convenient to grease it with butter, sprinkling a little flour. We preheat the oven to 190 degrees (375 F) and leave the cake in it until it is golden brown so that when you insert a toothpick it comes out completely dry. Baking takes between 40 and 50 minutes.

It is eaten warm or cold, sprinkling icing sugar on it ... and it is incredibly tasty.