zuccotto

Made in a special pumpkin (zucca) shaped mould, which may lend its name (others say it is named after a Cardinal's skull cap, or zucchetto), this is a favourite Florentine semifreddo dessert combining softened sponge cake or savoiardi in a dome-shaped mold, filled with ice cream (or ricotta, or zuppa inglese according to some recipes), chocolate and brandy.

Some say the very first one was made by the great Florentine architect and gelato inventor, Bernardo Buontalenti, in honour of Brunelleschi's dome atop Florence cathedral.