Coppia Ferrarese

Coppia Ferrarese: Coppia Ferrarese is a type of sourdough bread made with flour, lard, olive oil, and malt, and has a twisted shape.It was first made around the 12th century in Ferrara, Italy, and has PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status under European Law.

According to the legend, the host of a dinner to honorthe Duke of Ferrara, had these interwoven breads with typical horns served to allude to some of the duke’s personal adventures.

Note: The leaven should be prepared at least 48 hours in advance.

Ingredients for Coppia Ferrarese

(serves 8-10):

For Leaven:

• 200 g all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• Lukewarm water

For Dough:

• 1 kg flour (Type 0)
• 350 ml water
• 60 gms pork fat
• 40 ml extra-virgin olive oil
• 100 g leaven
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp barley malt

Method for Coppia Ferrarese:

Leaven:

• Take 200 g of flour in a bowl.
• Add some lukewarm water, a teaspoon of oil and a teaspoon of honey to the flour.
• Mix until smooth mixture is formed without lumps.
• Shape the flour mixture into a ball.
• Place the flour ball into a bowl.
• Cover the bowl with a damp kitchen towel.
• Leave the flour to rest for 48 hours, to ferment.
• Add a few teaspoons of lukewarm water, knead again, and cover with a damp kitchen towel once more.
• The leaven should be refreshed every week.

For Bread:

• Place all the ingredients for the dough into a heavy duty mixer.
• Turn the mixer on and knead for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a worktop or flat surface.
• Divide the dough into balls with a diameter of approximately 5 cm.

Note: In Ferrara, special rolling pins and other accessories are used to roll and shape the bread.

• To shape the manually, roll out each ball on floured surface into strips approximately 30 cm in length.
• Use the palm of your hand to press the dough like the one for strudel, while rolling it into cone-shaped horns.
• Braid couples of such rolls together to obtain the characteristic shape of the couples (four cone-shaped horns interwoven in the middle).
• When shaped, transfer the couples on a wooden board.
• Cover the couples with a wet kitchen towel.
• Let the couplesrest for 1 hour to 1 1/2 hrs.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Bake the couples till golden brown.
• Remove the Coppia Ferrarese from the oven, and slide onto a wire rack to cool.
• Coppia Ferrarese is ready to be served.

If you have any queries about this Coppia Ferrarese Recipe , please write down in comment box below