Croccantino Del Provenzal d’Italia
A few days ago, my parents returned from a little European vacation. The only thing I asked that they bring me (other than some nice, smoky Spanish paprika) was a little turron or torrone, delicious soft honey nougat studded with nuts, from Spain and Italy, respectively (the two countries on their itinerary). Nougat, as opposed to all the excellent chocolate to which they would have access, travels well – the perfect gift for their candy-loving daughter. I figured I would let them off the hook, not wanting to burden them with the impracticality of toting chocolate through summer temperatures.
Plus, as much as I adore chocolate, I am a huge fan of all manner of nougat, although perhaps not quite as advanced in my affection as Cybele over at Candy Blog. But I am close on her heels.
Well, I never did get that torrone. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with a box containing (several) of these two little nuggets that I’d never before seen:
Delicatezze del Provenzale - Limone.
Packaged exquisitely in beautiful paper, (as are even the most basic items in Italy – even an address book or a wedge of pecorino cheese is wrapped like a pretty present by the shopkeeper), each small bar is about two and a half inches long and one inch wide.
The Croccantino del Provenzale is dark chocolate encasing a layer of hard, honey-based toffee studded with hazelnuts and almonds. The chocolate is good quality, and the inner layer no stiffer than, say, the inside of an Almond Roca; in other words, it won’t yank on your fillings, as would a Sugar Daddy, for example. The honey flavor really comes across, and the nuts are pleasantly toasted, imparting a robust, full-flavor. I really enjoyed these – and, in fact, still am.
The Delicatezze del Provenzal – Limone is also enrobed in dark chocolate, but the interior of this one is more similar to the texture of a cookie. Well, not quite a cookie, but…what? Oh, it just came to me…this reminds me of those little pink and white frosted circus cookies with sprinkles, only less waxy. The Delicatezze also contains almonds and hazelnuts, in addition to a bit of white chocolate – heresy! I’m certainly no fan of white chocolate (in fact, I hold it in utter contempt), but the application of it in this particular candy is not really as “chocolate” (the dark chocolate has that role covered) so much as a binder for the nuts. I am actually tolerating, even (gasp!) enjoying the white chocolate here, as it seems to pair well with the natural lemon zest, milk and vanilla also included in the ingredients.
So, not only did I get my dark chocolate (completely unmelted, I might), but also I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of two new Italian confections, ones that have surely entered the fold as “keepers”. These are worth seeking out in your travels, and if you can bear to part with them, make a lovely, lovely gift.
Grazie, mom and dad!
(Note to my brother Rick: If you’re reading this, don’t worry, they picked up a box for you, too. You’ll get ‘em on your next visit – along with some pretty good dark chocolate and paprika from Spain. And also some cute little salt and peppershakers and some cool stuff from El Prado.)
2nd photo courtesy of laprovenzale.it
