Pionono is a small spongy cake which is popular in many Latin American countries. It comprises of a cake with the filling around. Though the filling of piononos is mostly sweet; made with fresh fruits and whipped cream, it can be savory in taste sometimes. Piononos are usually sweet, but in some countries they are served as finger foods.
History and Origin of Piononos Recipe
The origin of Pionono is said to be in Santa Fe, a town nearby to Granada in Spain. Piononos are the small traditional pastries of this place comprising of a thin sponge sheet cake filled with sweet liquid and a topping of whipped cream.
Method of Preparation and Ingredients Used in Piononos Recipe
The ingredients used for making the spongy cake for piononos recipe are eggs, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder and vanilla. The eggs are beaten and cornstarch, sugar and vanilla essence is added to them. The mixture is baked in the oven for 10 minutes. The spongy cake sheet is ready. Now the sugary syrup is made using cinnamon, sugar and water. The sugary syrup is kept aside. For the pastry cream, flour, sugar, eggs, butter, milk and vanilla essence is used. The milk is heated and sugar is added to it. After cooking for some time, vanilla essence, butter and eggs are also added to it. After the pastry cream is prepared, the cake sheet is brushed with sugar syrup and pastry cream is put on the centre. The sponge sheet is rolled and a sweet Santa Fe pionono is made.
Piononos in Different Cuisines
Although, piononos are said to have been originated in Santa Fe, this dish is popular in many other cuisines. The basic ingredients for the pastry remain same all over, there are few variations in the filling.
In South American countries like Peru, Argentina, Columbia and Venezuela, the thin pastry sheet is rolled over dulce de luche, fruits and Chantilly cream. Some savory fillings like chicken salad are also used for making piononos.
A Pionono in Puerto Rico is made using plantains. The plantains are made into rings and cheddar cheese is filled along with spicy meat. These piononos are relished as finger foods and taste well with dips.
Jelly is filled in a pionono rolls in the Philippines. The pastry is prepared in a regular way using eggs, flour and sugar but for the fillings instead of fruits, jelly is used.
In Uruguay, a pionono is more like a wrapped oceanic sandwich.
Popular Piononos Recipe
- Cheese plantain pionono- These piononos are commonly made in Puerto Rico. The plantain and cheddar cheese together make a delicious dish. These piononos taste well with wine, dips and other beverages. These are often relished as party finger foods.
- Dulce de Leche and Coconut Roll (Pionono de Arequipe Y Coco) - This piononos recipe makes use of Dulce de Leche and grated coconut for the filling. The flavor of cinnamon along with these two makes the dish an awesome dessert after the main course.
Trivia- Pionono
Pope plus IX was also known as pionono and this Spanish dessert is named after him.
