The name pizzelle comes from the Italian word "pizze" for round and flat. It has been called the oldest known cookie, and it’s believed to have originated in the Abruzze area of Italy centuries ago.

Some people say the pizzelle made its debut at the village of Colcullo, during the Festival of the Snakes, when villagers celebrated a divine intervention that helped them expel the serpents overrunning the town. Others say it started at the village of Salle, where pizzelles are still baked today to celebrate the feast of Beato Roberto, a twelfth-century monk.

This is known for sure: Pizzelles became an important part of celebrations and feasts throughout Italy, with many families even designing their own unique irons to decorate their pizzelleswith familycrests and other symbols. To many Italians, there is no feast without pizzelles.

Now that the pizzelle tradition has crossed over to America, you can taste its rich history in every bite of my authentic BellaPizzelles.

Enjoy!