brazadelle

[David Director Friedman]

An Italian cookbook from the sixteenth century has a recipe for "Brazzatelle di latte, e zuccaro." The recipe looks as though it might be for either pretzels or bagels--or some other breadstuff that is boiled then baked and has a distinctive shape. My best guess is that it is pretzels, since it looks a little like the German "brezel," but that is only a guess.

Does anyone here know what the word means (or meant)?

 

[Silvia]

I think you're referring to brazadelle, typical of Varese, a city in Lombardy:
Le Brazadelle
Knead wheat flour and water and shape it into a little loaf and bake in the oven.

But I found other recipes for something called "brazadel" and those are cookies or a cake.

 

[David Director Friedman]

Any guesses on the etymology? Could it be from a word for "bracelet?" That would fit the bagel alternative.

 

[Silvia]

I dare to say it's from the Italian 'brace' (English: coal), but who knows...