Question
I'm looking for a recipe for an Italian cookie that I remember having as a child. Are there any good sites around that I can describe what I remember and have any chance in hell of someone helping me? Thanks!
EDIT: OK, here's what I'm looking for. The cookie is shaped like a gnocchi or cavatelli but is much bigger, about 1.5 inches long and slightly larger than a quarter in diameter. It is distinctly 'C' shaped, though. The cookie was fried, probably deep fried, and then soaked in honey. The color is a very deep, dark brown.
The cookie is very dense but flaky. There was not a very strong flavor other than the honey that I recall (i.e. not anise-flavored or something strong like that). The texture is what I'm really after, I think
It is not a Zeppole (it doesn't puff up) or a Bow Tie (not as brittle in texture, certainly not as thin) or the little pea-shaped cookies (Struffoli?).
Based on our family tree these are probably going to be a Southern Italian cookie, from Calabria. But that's just a guess/hint.
Thanks!
Answer
Gnocchi shaped? I am pretty sure they are Turdilli! .
It's a traditional Calabrian recipe: 
They are deep-fried:
And hot-soaked in honey too:
Same biscotti, slightly different shapes:
Bear in mind that fried cookies soaked in honey are a traditional treat for carnival and Christmas seasons all over Italy, so you may find many, many similar recipes. From http://www.marinacepedafuentes.com/2010_02_01_archive.html :
Evviva i Dolci di Carnevale rigorosamente fritti, che ricevono nomi diversi secondo i luoghi. In Toscana chiacchiere o trecce, e poi frappe laziali, castagnole romane, frittelle di riso molisane, fritole triestine, nigelan altoatesini, sfincitelle siciliane, tortelli romagnoli, bomboloni fiorentini, cicerchiata umbra e chi più ne ha più ne metta!
At left with figs syrup, at right with honey:
A full blown italian fritti feast:
A shop near my house sells turdilli (hold your envy)
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