I've probably eaten hundreds of them - Strufoli! Sometimes referred to as "honey balls," these marble- sized Italian confections generally appear around Christmas and Easter.

If my memory serves me correctly, it was usually my Aunt Millie who sent over a plate of these honey-dipped tidbits.

They are a bit time consuming to produce, but very addictive.

Strufoli

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups peanut oil

1/2 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup honey

Sprinkles

Stir together flour and salt., Add eggs and vanilla. Stir to blend into a soft dough. Break off a piece of dough and roll out into a long roll 1/4 inch in daimeter. Cut roll into 1/4 inch pieces. Fry in oil until golden.

Put sugar and honey into pot roomy enough to hold all strufoli. Cook over low heat til sugar dissolves. Add Strufoli and coat well. Cover with sprinkles.