Nana's Pepper Cookies "tarralli"

Posted in reply to a request. Tarralli are the traditional Italian black pepper cookies that are usually served with a glass of wine for dunking. Although tarralli are called "cookies," they are really more like a hard biscuit or dry bread stick. Cooking time includes boiling and baking times.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Yields: 4-5 Dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup dry white wine
• 2  teaspoons dry yeast
• 2  cups semolina flour
• 3  cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil (extra virgin is best)
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  tablespoon  crushed black peppercorns

Directions

1. In a small pan, heat the oil until just warm to the touch (maybe 70-80°F), and set aside.
2. In a small pan, heat wine until very warm to the touch (about 100°F).
3. Sprinkle yeast over the warm wine and let sit for several minutes until it softens; then stir to mix.
4. In a large bowl, add all the other ingredients, including the warm oil.
5. Add the wine/yeast mixture to the bowl.
6. Use your hands to mix everything well, until a dough is formed.
7. Turn dough out onto an unfloured board; knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
8. Place dough in a clean, dry bowl.
9. Cover the dough with a clean, damp, kitchen towel (not terry cloth), and let rise for about 30 to 60 minutes in a warm place.
10. Cut the dough into small pieces.
11. Roll each piece into a long, thin, rope (about the thickness of your little finger).
12. Cut the rolled ropes of dough into 4-inch long pieces and join the two ends of each piece together so that it forms a round, doughnut like shape.
13. Continue the rolling and shaping with all the remaining dough.
14. Heat oven to 350-375°F Fill a pot with water, and bring to a rolling boil.
15. Drop the shaped dough into the boiling water (a few at a time).
16. When the taralli come to the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon, and place them on a clean kitchen towel (not terry cloth) to dry.
17. When all the taralli have been boiled and dried, place them on a cookie sheet and bake them for about 15-20 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
18. Remove from cookie sheet and cool on a rack.
19. When cool, serve with a glass of wine for dunking.