Canestrelli – Italy
Canestrelli is an Italian biscuit known as “little baskets” in Monferrato, which is in Northwest Italy. Canestrelli is also a staple biscuit in Liguria and Piedmont, Corsica. The most popular variant of this biscuit is the flower-shaped shortbread type with a hole in the center. Other types include the hard, waffle-shaped Canestrelli found in Piedmont.
Canestrelli has been known in Genoa, Italy, for generations and also appeared on the Genovini d’oro coin in the 13th century via the classic 6-point shape. The history of Canestrelli can be traced to Torriglia, an inland hamlet outside Genoa. The town holds an annual festival to commemorate the biscuit’s history, and numerous variants can be found in towns and villages around the province.