Recipe: Crotone-Calabria Pizza

Introduction

Calabria, a region in southern Italy, is known for its rich culinary traditions. One of the most famous dishes from this region is the Crotone-Calabria Pizza. This delicious pizza is topped with a variety of ingredients that reflect the flavors of Calabria, making it a must-try for pizza lovers.

Ingredients

To make a Crotone-Calabria Pizza, you will need the following ingredients:

Pizza Dough

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Pizza Toppings

• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup sliced spicy salami
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• ¼ cup sliced red onions
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Making the Pizza Dough

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
3. Gradually mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Assembling and Baking the Pizza

1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
2. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions.
3. Roll out each portion into a round pizza crust of your desired thickness.
4. Transfer the pizza crusts onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
5. Spread half of the tomato sauce evenly over each pizza crust.
6. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over each pizza crust.
7. Top the pizzas with sliced spicy salami, black olives, red onions, chopped fresh basil, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if desired).
8. Bake the pizzas in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove the pizzas from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Conclusion

The Crotone-Calabria Pizza is a delightful dish that showcases the flavors of Calabria. With its spicy salami, black olives, and red onions, this pizza is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Give this recipe a try and transport yourself to the beautiful region of Calabria with every bite.