Sicilian pizza Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Sicilian pizza
A typical slice of Palermitan sfincione
Type	Pizza
Place of origin	Italy
Region or state	Sicily

Sicilian pizza is a special kind of pizza that comes from Sicily, Italy. People in Sicily also call it sfincione (which means sfinciuni in the Sicilian language) or a type of focaccia with yummy toppings.

This pizza became very popular in western Sicily around the mid-1800s. It was the main type of pizza eaten there until the 1860s. The version with tomatoes was not around before the 1600s. Later, it traveled to North America. There, it changed a little, becoming thicker and usually shaped like a rectangle.

Traditional Sicilian pizza often has a thick crust and is rectangular. But it can also be round, like Neapolitan pizza. It often has onions, anchovies, tomatoes, herbs, and strong cheese. Cheeses like caciocavallo and toma are common. Some versions of this pizza do not have cheese at all.

The ways of making pizza in Sicily are connected to the local culture. Because of this, pizza recipes are different in various Sicilian regions. These include Palermo, Catania, Siracusa, and Messina.

Different Kinds of Sicilian Pizza
Gallery
See also

Different Kinds of Sicilian Pizza

The sfincione (or sfinciuni) is a very common type of pizza. It first came from the province of Palermo. Unlike Neapolitan pizza, it is usually rectangular. It also has more dough, sauce, and cheese. A real sfincione recipe often uses herbs, onion, tomato sauce, strong cheese, and anchovies. Sometimes, the sauce is put on top of the other toppings. This stops it from soaking into the thick dough.

Pizza in Siracusa

The pizzòlu from the province of Siracusa

In the province of Siracusa, you can find a pizza called pizzòlu. This is a round pizza that is stuffed with ingredients. It is especially popular in towns like Solarino and Sortino.

Pizza in Catania

In the province of Catania, there is a traditional pizza called scacciata. It is made in two main ways. One way uses a first layer of dough covered with local cheese called tuma and anchovies. This is common in the city itself.

In the area around Catania, the scacciata might have potatoes, sausages, broccoli, and tomato sauce. In both cases, a second layer of dough covers everything. This top layer is often brushed with eggs. Also in the Catania region, in Zafferana Etnea and Viagrande, a typical Sicilian pizza is a fried calzone. It is filled with cheese and anchovies.

Pizza in Messina

In the province of Messina, the traditional piduni is a type of calzone. It is stuffed with endive, toma cheese, tomato, and anchovies. There is also focaccia alla messinese. This focaccia is made with tomato sauce, toma cheese, vegetables, and anchovies.

Sicilian Pizza in the United States

In the United States, "Sicilian pizza" means a square cheese pizza. It usually has dough that is more than an inch thick. It has a crunchy bottom and a light, airy inside. This pizza comes from the sfinciuni. It was brought to the United States by early Italian immigrants from Sicily.

Sicilian-style pizza is popular in areas where many Italian-American people live. These areas are mostly in the northeastern United States. They include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and also Michigan. In some parts of coastal Massachusetts and New Hampshire, it is called "beach pizza." This is because it is often found along the Route 1A road near the coast.

A similar dish, which is sometimes confused with sfincione, is called tomato pie.