Pizzelle, meaning little pizzas, refers to the thin, wafer crisp cookies usually made with flour, eggs, sugar and sometimes anise flavoring. The first pizzelle irons were made of iron and used on a stovetop. Since then, the C. Palmer Manufacturing company has become the first U.S. company to make these usually Italian-made pizzelle makers in mostly electric options.
Carmen Palmieri was 15 when he immigrated to the United States from Italy. Like so many other Italian immigrants, he carried the tradition of pizzelle making with him, a common cookie in Italy. Years later when he wasn't happy with the design of his hand-held pizzelle iron, he made his own with three sacks of molding sand, over 4 lb. of aluminum and his coal furnace. Since he was happy with his product, he started making more and selling them to Italian grocers, becoming the first and only company to manufacture American-made pizzelle irons.
Palmer Pizzelle Irons are electric appliances that make pizzelles in half the time of hand irons. Some models are available in a non-stick finish. With the iron you make the traditional thin, crisp pizzelle cookies in several variations including lemon, chocolate, nut or other flavors, if you choose. Additionally, you can use the pizzelle iron to make Belgian cookies, waffles, mountain pies and noodle dough.
Plug the pizzelle iron's power cord into a 110-volt household outlet. Wait 15 minutes for the iron to heat sufficiently. Grease both the upper and lower grid with vegetable shortening. Place the batter into the iron and close. Discard the first two pizzelles after cooking. The pizzelles take about 30 seconds to cook. After you finish cooking the pizzelles, unplug the iron, let it cool and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Store in a dry area when not using.
Do not touch the hot surfaces when using. Unplug when not in use and allow to cool before handling or cleaning. Do not use outdoors. Do not place on or near a hot burner or heated oven. If any part of the pizzelle iron is damaged, wait to have it repaired before using.