Calzones Rotos is a classic winter Chilean recipe. Fun fact: the name, when translated, means "broken or ripped underwear." I don't know why we call them this, but maybe some questions are better left unanswered.
My grandmother often made these treats, which always felt special. When we arrived at her house for a winter visit, she wanted to spoil us with something delicious, so she often chose Calzones Rotos.
The main ingredients for making Calzones Rotos include flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. The dough is mixed and rolled out before being cut into irregular shapes. These dough pieces are then deep-fried until they become golden brown and crispy.
After frying, Calzones Rotos are dusted with powdered sugar. Orange or lemon zest is essential. The thickness depends on personal preference; my husband likes them thick, and I prefer them thinner and crispier.
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Chilean Calzones Rotos
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 30
- Category: Sweets
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Chilean
Description
A delicious fried pastry.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 4 tablespoons of soft butter
- 1 egg
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon pisco, rum or vodka
- grated zest of 1 lemon or 1 orange
- pinch of salt
- water (4 tablespoons)
- oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, sift the flour with powdered sugar and baking powder. Add salt—fluff with a fork.
- Add the butter, egg yolks, egg, pisco, and zest. Mix well with a wooden spoon or mixer with a paddle. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is firm but holds together.
- Spread on a lightly floured counter. It should be about 3-5 mm thick.
- Cut the dough into rectangles about 10x4cm (it is easiest to use a pizza cutter). Then, with a knife, make a slit or cut at the center and thread a corner inside the slit and stretch gently.
- Heat the oil to 350F or 180C.
- Fry pastries 6-8 at a time for 2 minutes. Turn and fry for one more minute.
- They should be golden brown. Remove to a platter covered with a paper towel and sprinkle with powdered sugar immediately.
- Serve with hot chocolate.
Notes
Recipe adapted from the book Popular Kitchen by Mariana Bravo Walker
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 204
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 93.7 mg
- Fat: 16.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.7 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1.7 g
Tips for delicious calzones rotos:
What can I do so the foam does not come out when frying the Calzones Rotos?
The foam can be for two reasons: the oils are too hot, or too much flour is left on the dough.
Ideally, use a thermometer in the oil; it must be at 180C/350F. Shake the pastries beforehand to avoid foam.
Also, the wider the pan or pot, the less foam.
Can I prepare the dough the day before or hours before?
No, baking powder does not last overnight, and you risk hard Calzones Rotos.
Can they be frozen?
I do not recommend freezing the raw pastries. It is dangerous when frying. Once fried and cold, they can be frozen for up to 3 months and reheated in the oven. They are not the same, but they are good.
Can they be baked?
Yes, but they don't taste like classic Calzones Rotos.
Other traditional winter treats in Chile, besides Calzones Rotos, include:
- churros
- sopaipillas
- picarones
- pear empanadas
Ximena Del Pilar Rogers says
My mom makes these often but she just knows what's in it, a little of this a little of that ha ha , I'm excited to have a recipe. These were a favorite of mine growing up. Thank you 🙂
Pilar Hernandez says
Of course that it's her recipe 🙂 Welcome to the site.
Marisol says
Every time I find one of your recipes, its a disaster! What kind of culinary background do you have? Because you give no explanation of dough consistency, or anything! Your recipes constantly have to be corrected, what a joke!
Pilar Hernandez says
Maybe you should stop using my recipes. Clearly, our culinary backgrounds don't align. These are my family recipes and we have been making it the same way for 30 years or more.
Vanessa says
I agree with you, that is such a good answer, people may follow the style they prefer.
I really like your recipe. We have used it in Finland few times at chilean gatherings, and they are a hit every single time. You've got very nice pictures off this recipe as well!
Keep up the good work! 🙂
Pilar Hernandez says
Thanks, Vanessa. I appreciated your kind words.
Luis says
Sorry ingredients said
1egg amd 2 egg yolks but in the preparation theres not mention of the single egg?..can you please let me know .cheers luis
Pilar Hernandez says
Hola Luis,
The egg goes together with the egg yolks, thanks. I fixed the recipe. Good luck!
Fernanda says
Can you bake them instead of frying??
Pilar Hernandez says
Yes, you can, but it's not the same flavor...
Raquel says
I think it is meant to be "ripped underwear". Chileans have a sense of humor! 🙂
Pilar Hernandez says
Yes, that is the literal translation... haha.