# Now I know why Don Corleone said--- **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631 "2015-06-15T23:25:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/1 "2015-06-15T23:25:04Z")
“Leave the pistol, take the cannoli.” I had my first Cannoli today. Ends dipped in chocolate, with a thick, lush cream in the middle. Heaven. The Don is very wise. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/2 "2015-06-15T23:31:58Z")
I’m sorry you had to live all this time without tasting one! However, beware: all cannoli are not created equal. Sometimes the creamy filling is not so lovely; depends on the quality of the ricotta I think. Personally I prefer the ends dipped in chopped pistachios. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/3 "2015-06-15T23:33:26Z")
Order more [here](http://www.termini.com/Small-Cannoli-Package-P24.aspx). You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/4 "2015-06-15T23:35:57Z")
The Don doesn’t get his hands dirty like that anymore - that was Clemenza. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/5 "2015-06-15T23:38:59Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > The Don doesn’t get his hands dirty like that anymore - that was Clemenza. Right, and he would have been in deep trouble with his wife if he had failed to bring home the cannoli. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/6 "2015-06-16T01:01:19Z")
[Leave the gun, take the cannoli.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHzh0PvMWTI) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/7 "2015-06-16T13:48:32Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > The Don doesn’t get his hands dirty like that anymore - that was Clemenza. And I believe it was an improv line. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/8 "2015-06-16T14:19:03Z")
The one time I had a cannoli – at some place in Boston that was supposed to be great, where we had to wait in a mob-line for half an hour – the filling tasted like Crisco with maybe a little vanilla flavoring added. I ate about three bites then threw it in the garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/9 "2015-06-16T14:27:07Z")
The cannoli I’ve had came from [http://romapizzaandpasta.com/](http://romapizzaandpasta.com/) and it’s great. It may be near you but if not it’s worth a drive to Nashville! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/10 "2015-06-16T14:29:21Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > The one time I had a cannoli – at some place in Boston that was supposed to be great, where we had to wait in a mob-line for half an hour – the filling tasted like Crisco with maybe a little vanilla flavoring added. I ate about three bites then threw it in the garbage. Mike’s Pastry? That’s the standard tourist trap bakery in the North End. They were fantastic at one time, but as happens often, success led to a decline in quality, or at least in consistency. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/11 "2015-06-16T14:41:54Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > The one time I had a cannoli – at some place in Boston that was supposed to be great, where we had to wait in a mob-line for half an hour – the filling tasted like Crisco with maybe a little vanilla flavoring added. I ate about three bites then threw it in the garbage. Probably Mike’s Pastries - but they’re pretty good actually. Not sure what was wrong with the one you got. I prefer Modern Pastry, but Mike’s isn’t bad. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/12 "2015-06-16T17:01:25Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Mike’s Pastry? That’s the standard tourist trap bakery in the North End. They were fantastic at one time, but as happens often, success led to a decline in quality, or at least in consistency. Probably. I was with a gaggle from out of town with one or two locals, and I wasn’t paying that much attention to where we drifted to. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/13 "2015-06-16T22:06:58Z")
Mine was from Publix. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/14 "2015-06-16T23:18:18Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I’m sorry you had to live all this time without tasting one! However, beware: all cannoli are not created equal. Sometimes the creamy filling is not so lovely; depends on the quality of the ricotta I think. > > Personally I prefer the ends dipped in chopped pistachios. Cannoli filling varies widely between recipes. It is usually one or more of the following: - Ricotta - Mascarpone - Whipped cream (Watch, someone will come running in to tell us how they use custard or something instead of any of these.) Especially with whipped cream recipes, the amount of stirring by the baker can have a huge influence on the final texture of the filling. The lighter the filling, the more whipped cream was used in it. (I’m actually happy with cannoli that are only whipped cream). Ricotta, in my experience, always gives you something of a grainy texture. It’s the nature of the cheese. If you’re thinking of something smooth and creamy, my first assumption is that mascarpone was used instead. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/15 "2015-06-16T23:44:05Z")
Correct me if I’m wrong, Sandy, but doesn’t Cannoli filling contain milk? ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/16 "2015-06-16T23:56:51Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong, Sandy, but doesn’t Cannoli filling contain milk? Here’s a list of many variations on the filling, and one uses “pastry cream” made with egg yolks and milk: [http://www.mangiabenepasta.com/cannoli.html](http://www.mangiabenepasta.com/cannoli.html) So there you have it. Like most Italian foods, the only correct way is how your grandmother did it. And if you’re a true Italian, you are willing to fight to the death defending her method. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/17 "2015-06-16T23:59:20Z")
Food with a movie tie in? Off to Cafe Society! ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/18 "2015-06-17T00:18:04Z")
I was always confused, due to my lack of proper dietary habits. I didn’t know the difference between a cannoli and a cannelloni Which led to trying to figure out what to get for a pasta, vs. a dessert… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/19 "2015-06-17T01:17:43Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > And I believe it was an improv line. Yep. > [@](#): > > Clemenza, played by the Bronx-born actor Richard S Castellano, claims that they are going to look for “mattresses” (safe houses) and directs Paulie to drive to “309 West 43rd Street”. The remarks about cannoli (pastries) that begin and end the scene have become as famous as anything in The Godfather. > > The scene where Paulie gets popped begins with Clemenza leaving his house and his wife shouting: “Don’t forget the cannoli” – a last-minute dialogue addition from director Francis Ford Coppola. There follows a montage of stock footage of period New York, and then a shot of the car driving in the countryside beyond New York. Clemenza asks to pull over to take “a leak”. In the distance pokes the Statue of Liberty. > > Three shots are fired by Rocco into Paulie’s head. As Rocco gets out the car, Clemenza says: “Leave the gun – take the cannoli.” He takes the food as Paulie lies slumped against the steering wheel. Coppola gave all credit to the actor in later years: “Richie improvised the line,” he said. From here: > **[Story of the Scene: The Godfather (1972)](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/story-of-the-scene-the-godfather-1972-870492.html)** > > About 50 minutes into The Godfather, just after the "sleeps with the fishes" scene, Mafia henchmen Clemenza and Rocco get into a car with Paulie. They intend to kill him. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631/20 "2015-06-17T01:33:18Z")
When I worked as a pastry chef at an Italian dessert shop, it was the cannoli filling that all the staff would get caught eating out of the walk-in-fridge (squeezed out of a pastry bag, not double-dipping spoonfuls). The basic Italian recipe really is simple and sublime. Here’s the reduced-in-size recipe. Double or triple or quadruple it: Cannoli Filling: 1 lb ricotta cheese - beat in mixer until it’s as smooth as it’s going to get. (A stick blender could work; I never tried it as the batches I made were way too large.) Add sugar to taste: 1 - 2 tablespoons, or to your liking. Add some vanilla extract - maybe 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste. Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon (this is what gives it that cannoli-filling taste). Add 1/4 cup chopped-up chocolate chips or use mini chips. Fill cannoli shells just before serving (they get soggy fast), using a pastry bag or a ziplock bag with a corner cut off, and dip the ends in chopped pistachios if you want to get all fancy. You can add anything else you want to it, but it doesn’t need anything. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-i-know-why-don-corleone-said/722631.md?page=2)