Italian cuisine is famous for its rich flavors and mouth-watering delicacies; Easter is no exception. One of Italy’s most famous traditional Easter foods is the Pizza di Pasqua or Easter Pizza. This savory and aromatic cake is made with a combination of cheeses and is the perfect addition to any Easter feast.
The origins of Pizza di Pasqua can be traced back to the region of Umbria in central Italy. It is said to have been created by the nuns of a Perugia monastery in the 16th century, who would bake it on Easter morning and give it to the poor as a goodwill gesture.
Ingredients
500 gr all-purpose flour
1 package (7g) of dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
3 eggs
1 cup of milk
100 gr butter, softened
1 tsp salt
100 gr grated Parmesan cheese
100 gr grated Pecorino cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
1 egg, beaten for egg wash
Instructions
Whisk the flour, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, milk, and butter. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth about 10 minutes. Return the dough to the bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour or until it has doubled.
Preheat your oven to 180ยฐC (350ยฐF) and grease a round baking tin with butter.
Mix the Parmesan, Pecorino, and thyme in a separate bowl.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ยฝ cm. Place the dough in the prepared tin, pressing it into the corners and letting it overhang the edges.
Spread the cheese mixture over the top of the dough. Fold the overhanging dough back over the top of the filling to enclose it.
Brush the top of the pizza with a beaten egg to give it a shiny finish.
Bake the pizza for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly.
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool in the tin for a few minutes before turning it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
In conclusion, Pizza di Pasqua is a delicious and traditional Easter food that Italians worldwide love. Its savory and aromatic flavors make it the perfect addition to any Easter feast, and its rich history and cultural significance make it a truly unique and memorable dish. So why not try making your own Pizza di Pasqua this Easter and share in this delicious Italian tradition?