The ancient origins of Ricciarelli
Virgilio continued his work by also dedicating himself to Ricciarelli, the almond paste-based confectionery with a curled shape and a crunchy surface, whose origins are still debated today.
Their origins are lost between history and legend. It is said that they derive from Marzipan, which was already used in Siena in the 15th century to make marzapanetti. An ancient legend, however, attributes their spread to Ricciardetto della Gherardesca, who, upon returning from the Crusades, spoke of peculiar foreign sweets, curled like the slippers of sultans.