Cook and dice 2 hard boiled eggs
Dice 1/2 pound or pepperoni
Brown 3/4 lb. of your favorite Italian sausage
Chop 2 oz of deli ham
Dice/chop 3/4 lb of prosciutto
1/2 pound diced or shredded mozzarella
One teaspoonish grated Italian cheese of your choice
1 lb ricotta
2 large eggs
Salt & Pepper to taste
Whisk raw eggs into grated cheese until combined. Add all the rest of the ingredients until well mixed. Spoon into prepared pie shell. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, then drop back to 325 for 45 minutes. Check frequently so it does not burn and cover with foil if/as needed. Can be eaten hot or at room temperature.
My family is Italian American, but for some reason, there are a lot of Italian traditions that we don't do. Pizzagaina/Rustica is one of the things we never do. I have never even tasted it, let alone made one. I'd do it this year, but my kitchen is getting remodeled so it will have to wait another year. Happy Easter everyone.
it took a long time, but the entire family helped, it was fun and everyone loved it.
that looks awesome, looks like it's totally worth the effort, and if like you said the whole family helps it can become a tradition your kids can carry on.
I might start that too. My kids are getting old enough to help/develop their own ideas about traditions
making a timpano with the family. We made the pasta on the counter, we made the meatballs, stuffed the shells, it was a lot of prep and fun. It took all day for prep, then a few hours in the oven, then a few hours to cool. We will all remember it and we are looking forward to it for Easter.
I had been wanting to try it for 20+ years since I saw The Big Night, but never got around to it. There are dozens of recipes online.
...back in 94-95, a stop-gap job, I delivered cheese for Biazzo out of Ridgefield, NJ. Mostly ricotta and mozzarella, but also fresh mozz, bulk ricotta and ricattone - little old Italian men in that plant making the stuff fresh, I'd deliver it hours after it was ready to deli's all over North Jersey.
Though raised Italian, I'd never heard of Pizza Rustica - HOLY SHIT. Every family-run Italian deli had their own variant - I was in heaven that Easter season.
The job really sucked. Low pay, I'd start at 4:30am, wouldn't wrap til' a good 12 hours later most days.
But those deli's and pastry shops, from Newark north up through Garfield and Lodi, amazing stuff.
One time, I opened the side door at D'Ana's pastry shop in Lodi, and the old man is sitting there, stuffing gigantic cream puffs - 'what the hell is THAT?!' I asked - it's a Sfinge!, he said - 'you never had a Svinge de Santo Guizeppe? They're best when they're fresh - here!' - one of the most amazing things that ever crossed my lips.
I generally don't miss Jersey, but MAN do I miss those Deli's and pastry shops!
Looks like you could use that filling in a calzone. I made a timpano last year after watching the movie, I wouldn't both making it again. I'd rather just make a baked ziti with meat filling.
Cook and dice 2 hard boiled eggs
Dice 1/2 pound or pepperoni
Brown 3/4 lb. of your favorite Italian sausage
Chop 2 oz of deli ham
Dice/chop 3/4 lb of prosciutto
1/2 pound diced or shredded mozzarella
One teaspoonish grated Italian cheese of your choice
1 lb ricotta
2 large eggs
Salt & Pepper to taste
Whisk raw eggs into grated cheese until combined. Add all the rest of the ingredients until well mixed. Spoon into prepared pie shell. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, then drop back to 325 for 45 minutes. Check frequently so it does not burn and cover with foil if/as needed. Can be eaten hot or at room temperature.
I'm exhausted...
I'll probably make it this year.
We go to brunch for Easter now, but I'll still make this I think.
Sounds delicious
How you been? Great to see you post
Sounds delicious
How you been? Great to see you post
+1
Sign me up!
that looks awesome, looks like it's totally worth the effort, and if like you said the whole family helps it can become a tradition your kids can carry on.
I might start that too. My kids are getting old enough to help/develop their own ideas about traditions
I had been wanting to try it for 20+ years since I saw The Big Night, but never got around to it. There are dozens of recipes online.
Big Night is such a great movie.
Though raised Italian, I'd never heard of Pizza Rustica - HOLY SHIT. Every family-run Italian deli had their own variant - I was in heaven that Easter season.
The job really sucked. Low pay, I'd start at 4:30am, wouldn't wrap til' a good 12 hours later most days.
But those deli's and pastry shops, from Newark north up through Garfield and Lodi, amazing stuff.
One time, I opened the side door at D'Ana's pastry shop in Lodi, and the old man is sitting there, stuffing gigantic cream puffs - 'what the hell is THAT?!' I asked - it's a Sfinge!, he said - 'you never had a Svinge de Santo Guizeppe? They're best when they're fresh - here!' - one of the most amazing things that ever crossed my lips.
I generally don't miss Jersey, but MAN do I miss those Deli's and pastry shops!
But to me, Easter Pie is Pastiera De Grano (or Pizza De Grano). My Aunt Iola made it every year.
Cooking Italian Comfort Food. - ( New Window )