Dissolve the sugar in 100ml of the water, then add the yeast and give a gentle stir. Leave to prove.
Put the flour in a mixing bowl. Pour in the yeast and mix with fingertips. Add the remainder of the water. Add the extra-virgin oil and knead until the dough is soft but not sticky.
Cover the bowl with a cloth and leave to rise until the dough has doubled in volume.
Flour your fingers and make some balls of dough about the size of a walnut.
Heat the oil for frying in a deep pan enough to completely immerse the coccoli. Heat to a medium heat.
Deep fry the dough balls until cooked through.
Add salt to the surface and serve very hot