Stuff in cannolis

[Fat Guy]

It seems that in Italian-American pastry shops it is almost mandatory for cannolis to include chocolate chips. Yet chocolate chips are not a traditional part of the cannoli recipe, at least I don't think they are. I've also see pistachios, and candied orange peel. Plain too.

What sorts of things have you all seen in cannolis the world over?

[heidih]

I really hope someone will give me the reference - I read a book that was novel style years ago and the Sicilian ones always had the chocolate, nuts, and citrus peel.

[cookman]

Here are some unusual option from NYC: Click here.

[pastrygirl]

Are you saying no chocolate at all, or that it should be stacciatella-style bits/flakes rather than chips? I don't know much about cannoli, but I thought a little chocolate was the norm.

[Mjx]

When I was a kid, the cannoli I saw in Florence were plain, or with the candied fruit/pistachios you mention, or a light brown that was either hazelnut or coffee. I don't think I saw chocolate-chip infested ones until I was about 14. Even the last time I was there, a year or so ago, they seemed mostly confined to places that didn't do much business with the locals. I also recollect seeing some cannoli with candied chestnut pieces (at Gilli, I believe).