Seadas (Sardinian Fried Pastries with Honey)

Seadas are Sardinia’s beloved fried pastry — a thin dough pocket sealed around tangy fresh cheese, fried until blistered, then drizzled with honey while still hot. The contrast of salty cheese and sweet honey is what makes them impossible to stop eating.

Ingredients

For the dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup olive oil or lard, softened
• 1/2 cup warm water
• Pinch of salt

For the filling and topping

• 8 oz fresh pecorino or mild melting cheese, thinly sliced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/2 cup honey, warmed
• Ground cinnamon, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the dough
   Combine flour, oil, water, and salt in a bowl and knead for 8 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
2. Roll and fill
   Roll the dough out very thin and cut into rounds. Lay cheese slices and lemon zest on half the rounds, top with a second round, and pinch the edges tightly to seal.
3. Fry until blistered
   Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry each seada for 1-2 minutes per side until golden and puffed, with the cheese melting inside.
4. Finish with honey
   Drain briefly on paper towels, then transfer to plates and drizzle generously with warm honey while still hot. Dust with cinnamon if desired.

Seadas are best served immediately, while the cheese is still soft and stretchy.