Food & Cooking: Ladies & Fingers

Lady Fingers

Ladyfingers (called Savoiardi in Italian, meaning "from Savoy") are light and sweet sponge cakes roughly shaped like a large, fat finger.
Today, their most common usage is in trifles, charlottes, and tiramisu. They are typically soaked in a sugar syrup or liqeuer, such as coffee for the tiramisu dessert.
Ladyfingers originated in the late 15th century at the court of the Duchy of Savoy, and were created to mark the occasion of a visit of the King of France.
Later they were given the name Savoiardi and recognised as an "official" court biscuit. They were particularly appreciated by the young members of the court and offered to visitors as a symbol of the local cuisine.

Lady's finger

Lady's finger is another name given to the okra plant, widely cultivated in in southern United States and West Indies and characterized by its long green edible pods.

Originating in Africa, the plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world.