Sfogliatelle means many leaves or layers and this crisp pastry’s texture resembles leaves stacked on each other. Sfogliatelle look like seashells when baked.
Some people also call them ‘lobster tails’ for their resemblance to the same.
The characteristic ridges form as the layers of dough separate during baking. The pastries are filled with a ricotta cream, semolina, and cinnamon mixture.