Calzone facts for kids
| Type | Turnover |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Apulia |
| Main ingredients | ricotta, mozzarella, salami/ham, parmesan/pecorino |
| Variations | tomato, provolone, anchovies, olives, onions, chards, minced meat, fish, cabbage |
A calzone ( or Italian: "stocking" or "trouser") is an Italian dumpling consisting of an oven-baked folded pizza dough that originated in Naples. A typical calzone is made from salted bread dough, baked in an oven and stuffed with salami or ham, mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan or pecorino cheese, as well as an egg. Different regional variations on a calzone can often include other ingredients that are normally associated with pizza toppings.
Regional variations
In Italy
Sandwich-sized calzones are often sold at Italian lunch counters or by street vendors, because they are easy to eat while standing up or walking. Fried versions of the calzone are typically filled with tomato and mozzarella: these are made in Apulia and called panzerotti.
The Sicilian cuddiruni or cudduruni pizza is distantly related to the calzone. This is a dish stuffed with onions (or sometimes other vegetables, such as potatoes or broccoli), anchovies, olives, cheese and mortadella; the rolled pizza dough is folded in two over the stuffing and the edges are sealed before the dish is fried.
In the United States
In the United States, calzones are typically made from pizza dough and stuffed with meats, cheeses and vegetables. Traditional calzone dough consists of flour, yeast, olive oil, water and salt. Calzones are similar to stromboli; traditionally, though, the two are different dishes.
As a rule, calzones are usually stuffed with cheeses such as ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone or a different local cheese. The dough is folded into a half-moon shape, then either sealed with an egg mixture or shaped into a sphere. It is then either baked or fried. After being cooked, calzones might be served with marinara sauce, or alternatively topped with a combination of garlic, olive oil, and parsley: this depends on the region.
Scacciata is a similar dish to a calzone; however, this dish is normally filled with either broccoli, spinach, potatoes or onions, and sometimes sausage.
See also
In Spanish: Calzone para niños
