Today’s Spotlight is on Calzone.

A calzone is an Italian oven-baked turnover, made with pizza or leavened bread dough and sealed into a half-moon shape. It’s filled with cheese, cured meats, herbs, and vegetables. A typical calzone is made from salted bread dough, baked in an oven and is stuffed with salami, ham or vegetables, mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan or pecorino cheese, as well as an egg.

• Main ingredients: Ricotta, mozzarella, salami/ham, parmesan/pecorino
• Variations: Tomato, provolone, anchovies, olives, onions, chard, minced meat, fish, cabbage

A calzone is similar to a pizza, but it’s folded in half. The filling of a calzone always contains cheese. Other toppings can include:

• Mozzarella, Parmesan, Salami or ham, Tomato, Provolone, Anchovies, Olives, Onions, Chard, Minced meat, Fish, Cabbage.

A standard calzone has over 1,000 calories, which is equal to three slices of pizza.

 

Calzone vs Strombolis:

Here are some differences between calzones and strombolis:

• Shape – Calzones are folded into a half-moon shape, while strombolis are rolled into a cylindrical shape.
• Fold and seal – Calzones are folded in half and sealed with an egg wash, while strombolis are rolled like a burrito.
• Origin – Calzones originated in Naples, Italy, while strombolis originated in south Philadelphia.
• Sauce – Calzones don’t contain any sauce, but tomato sauce is served on the side. Strombolis have a thin layer of sauce baked inside the dough.
• Cheese – Calzones tend to contain ricotta cheese, while strombolis almost always contain mozzarella cheese.

Other differences include:

• Calzones are made with a higher ratio of water to flour than pizza dough, which makes them softer and more malleable.
• Strombolis are sliced upon serving, revealing their layered fillings.

 

History

Origin: Italy

Calzones originated in Naples, Italy in the 1700s. They were created as a way for working people to eat on the go. The original calzones were made by folding an uncooked pizza in half and topping it with ingredients like ricotta, mozzarella, anchovies, and olives. Calzones were sold on the streets. They varied in ingredients and techniques across different regions in Italy.

The word “calzone” is a loose translation of the Italian word for “trouser” or “pants legs”. The name refers to the dish’s relation to walking while eating. Traditional calzones are made without sauce, which can drip and ruin the intention of food to be eaten on foot.

The etymology of the word “calzone” isn’t entirely clear. According to Eater, the name came from the word for “trousers” in Italian because calzones could easily be carried in a man’s pocket. However, the Italian word for stockings is “calze”. Another explanation is that “calzone” is the augmentative form of the term “calza” which means stocking. The idea is that of a “Christmas stocking” filled with food, a popular idea in the south of Italy.

Calzones have since spread around the world.

 

Here are some fun facts about calzones:

• Calzones are a specialty of Naples.
• Calzones can be made small as appetizers or large enough to feed several people.
• Calzones are designed to be eaten by hand, without utensils.
• Calzones are made with pizza-like dough, which makes them portable and easy to eat on the go.
• Calzones are stuffed with salami, ham, or vegetables, mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan or pecorino cheese, as well as an egg.

 

Making Calzone

A calzone can be simple to make.

A calzone is made by:

1. Folding a circular piece of dough in half
2. Fill the dough with cheese, cured meats, herbs, and vegetables.
3. Sealing the dough shut using a crimping technique.
4. Baking the calzone
5. Let’s cool and enjoy.

 

Consumption

Calzones have been popular in the United States for decades. They became even more popular after appearing on the TV show Seinfeld in 1996. They’re a staple at Italian restaurants.

Calzones are not as popular as pizza, but they’re a good alternative. They’re often made with meat and can be served with marinara sauce. Calzone’s popularity has decreased by 11.06% over the past year.

On average, calzones are consumed 1.38 times per year. A calzone is meant to serve four people.

 

Celebrating Calzone

National Calzone Day is celebrated on November 1 every year. The day celebrates a style of pizza that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Calzones are sometimes referred to as a folded pizza or a pizza turnover. The day has been observed annually on November 1 since 2016.

Let us know in the comments about your favorite calzone.