Oranges of Xativa which are Cheesecakes
shown served on a platter with "pastry of roast hen" and "chopped spinach", both from the same recipe source
You must take new cheese and curd cheese, and grind them in a mortar together with eggs. Then take dough and knead those cheeses with the curd cheese, together with the dough. And when everything is incorporated and kneaded take a very clean casserole. And cast into it a good quantity of sweet pork fat or fine sweet oil. And when the pork grease or oil boils, make some balls from said dough, like toy balls or round oranges. And cast them into the casserole in such a manner that the ball goes floating in the casserole. And you can also make buñuelos of the dough, or whatever shapes and ostentations you wish. And when they are the color of gold, take them out, and cast in as many others. And when everything is fried, put it on plates. And cast honey upon it, and on top of the honey [cast] ground sugar and cinnamon. However, note one thing: that you must put a bit of leaven in the cheeses and in the eggs, and in the other put flour. And when you make the balls, grease your hands with a little fine oil, and then [the balls] go to the casserole. And when it is inside, if the dough crackles it is a signal that it is very soft, and you must cast in more flour [into the dough] until it is harder. And when the fritter is made and fried, cast your honey on it, and [cast] sugar and cinnamon on top as is said above.
From: Translation of recipe from 1529, Ruperto de Nola, Spain
Oranges of Xativa which are Cheesecakes:
A story for always reading the recipe through, no matter how complete a part may seem.
I made the "oranges" according to the recipe but stopped short of reading past the second option. If you just follow the first part, it states to add egg to the cheese and shape and fry (then honey and cinnamon sugar). Well, you can't shape that... so since it said shape the dough, I concluded flour should be added... this worked but the results, though tasty, left the centers kinda soft... the second part actually explains that we are to add flour and leven (woops!)
Method:
- I only used new and curd cheese mixed together and only had about 3/4cups made up on hand, to this I added 2 eggs and then enough flour to make it shapeable. This obviously didn't give great results, next time I make this, I will make some fresh yeast and determine the rest from then on
- these are to be fried in good oil until golden brown.
- Set them in a dish or casserole and drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
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