**Ingredients for Pastry:**
– 14 oz flour
– Water (as needed to make a stiff dough)
– A pinch of salt
– 2 oz soft shortening
– 2 oz margarine
**Ingredients for Ricotta Filling:**
– 14 oz ricotta cheese
– 4 eggs
– Pepper (to taste)
**Instructions:**
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour with enough water to make a stiff dough. Add a pinch of salt and knead until smooth. Adjust with more flour if it’s sticky.
2. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8″ thick.
3. Spread the soft shortening evenly over the dough, then roll it up like a Swiss roll.
4. Roll out the dough again and spread the margarine this time. Roll it up again.
5. Repeat the rolling process one more time.
6. Preheat your oven to 220°C/425°F.
7. For the filling, mash the ricotta cheese with a fork in a bowl. Add the eggs and season with pepper. Mix well.
8. Roll out the pastry dough for the final time and cut out circles using a 10cm/4in cutter.
9. Spoon a tablespoon of the ricotta filling onto each circle, fold it in half, and pinch the edges to seal.
10. Place the filled pastizzi on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
11. Brush the tops of the pastizzi with melted butter.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.
13. Allow the pastizzi to cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy your delicious homemade pastizzi!