Saint Lucy's day in Apulia

12/07/2025

Starting from December 13th—the day commemorating Saint Lucy, the Christian martyr and patron saint of eyesight—in kitchens across Puglia, the scent of Christmas begins to fill the air. Traditional sweets are baked and brought to the table, marking the start of the festive season. Among the most typical treats of this period - alongside cartellate, mostaccioli, pettole, and purcidduzzi - you’ll certainly find Santa Lucia’s Eyes.

What Are Santa Lucia’s Eyes?

Santa Lucia’s Eyes are small, round sweet treats made with just a few simple ingredients: flour, olive oil, and white wine. Once baked, they’re coated with a light, delicate glaze. At first glance, they closely resemble sugared biscuits or sweet tarallini, both of which are also staples of Apulian tradition.

As is often the case with traditional recipes, each family has its own version, with unique variations that make every batch special.
Below you’ll find our take on this classic recipe: time to roll up your sleeves and bring a touch of Apulian Christmas spirit into your kitchen with these delightful little sweets!

Saint Lucy’s Eyes

From Puglia, the traditional glazed tarallini typically prepared for the Feast of Saint Lucy

DifficultyEasy

Preparation time50m

Cooking time25m

ServingsAbout 25 cookies

€

CostLow

Ingredients

250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour (type 00)
100 ml (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) white wine
70 ml (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
A pinch of salt
½ tsp anise seeds
For the glaze:
250 g (2 cups) powdered sugar
50 ml (about 3 tbsp + 1 tsp) hot water

Method

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and anise seeds. Mix well.
Add the white wine and olive oil. Stir until the mixture comes together into a smooth, uniform dough.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Take a small amount of dough (about 15 g) and roll it into a rope about 10 cm (4 inches) long.
Twist the rope into a ring shape, like a small tarallo.
Place the formed taralli on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 170°C (340°F) for about 25 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Let the cookies cool completely.

Prepare the glaze:

In a bowl, add the powdered sugar and gradually mix in the hot water.
Stir until you get a thick, smooth glaze.

Finishing touches:

Once the taralli are cool, dip them into the glaze using two forks.
Let any excess glaze drip off, then place the taralli on a wire rack to set until the glaze hardens.

The Legend of Saint Lucy

Saint Lucy is one of the most beloved and venerated saints and martyrs in Christian tradition, remembered for her unwavering faith and the immense courage she showed in facing martyrdom during the persecution of Christians.

According to legend, Lucy was promised in marriage to a young pagan man. However, after visiting the tomb of Saint Agatha—where she prayed for the miraculous healing of her ailing mother—she made a vow of chastity to Christ, choosing to dedicate her life to God and renounce the marriage.

Her refusal enraged her betrothed, who reported her as a Christian to the emperor Diocletian, notorious for his brutal persecution of Christians. Lucy was arrested and tortured, and became the subject of a miraculous episode: when soldiers tried to drag her away, she became immovable—no one could budge her from where she stood. Eventually, she was sentenced to death, and her earthly life ended on December 13th, 304 AD.

Saint Lucy is symbolically linked to light and vision. Fittingly, her name comes from the Latin lux, meaning “light.” She is considered the patron saint of the eyes, vision, eye doctors, and more broadly, of the light that shines in the darkness.

Saint Lucy