Biscoitos de Orelha, the tradicional biscuits of Santa Maria Island

Biscoitos de Orelha are a tasty, crunchy delicacy made with simple ingredients, typical of the island of Santa Maria.

The origin of cookies dates back to the 15th century, when the first Portuguese settlers arrived on the island.

Due to the scarcity of ingredients, the inhabitants needed to find ways to make food that would last for a long time. Biscoitos de Orelha were created as a solution to this problem, with flour, sugar, butter and eggs being mixed together to form a crunchy, moisture-resistant dough.

Ingredients:

• 250g wheat flour

• 125g unsalted butter

• 75g sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. in a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar and pinch of salt.

2. Add the softened butter to the mixture and mix well.

3. Add the egg and mix until smooth.

4. Divide the dough into two parts and form two long rounds.

5. Cut each roll into pieces of about 2 cm.

6. On a greased baking sheet, arrange the cookies so that they are not too close together.

7. Bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.

8. Enjoy!

Biscoitos de Orelha are perfect to be served with coffee, tea or milk. In addition, they are a great option to take as a snack or to offer to guests. Their crunchiness and slightly sweet flavor make them a popular Santa Maria dessert and a tradition that is perpetuated to this day.

In short, Biscoitos de Orelha are an example of the traditional cuisine of the Azores and the ability of the people of Santa Maria to transform simple ingredients into a delicious delicacy. Be sure to try them, on your next visit!