Typical of the Province of Teramo, in particular Val Vibrata towns, “sassi d’Abruzzo” are also called “mandorle atterrate”.
These are almonds treated in such as way as to give them the appearance of pebbles covered in an uneven layer of a brownish colour, reminiscent of a layer of earth but actually comprised of cocoa mixed with sugar.
To obtain this result, half a glass of water and sugar is brought to boil, then the cocoa is added, and when this has dissolved, unpeeled toasted almonds are added. Then the mixture is stirred until all the sugar sticks perfectly to the almonds. At this point the almonds are left to cool and harden.
This confectionery has certainly been produced for more than 25 years, as described in the publication Gastronomia Teramana (Ed. Tercas, Teramo 1978), compiled by Rino Faranda.
