Hailing from Abruzzo in Central Italy, pizzelle are crisp, flat waffle-esque cookies made in a special hot iron. The name comes from the Italian word for "round" and "flat" (pizze); this is also the meaning of the word pizza. Like mostaccioli, these cookies predate Christmas -- in fact, it is said that this is the oldest known cookie recipe on earth, dating back to the 8th century BC. In olden times, presses were made from cast iron and would be heated over a fire, or directly on the stovetop.