Sicilian pizza

The Pizzòlu diffused in the province of Siracusa

Sicilian pizza refers to the different ways to prepare pizza in Sicily (Italy). In the USA, among the Italian American community, the locution sicilian pizza it refers to a particular way to cook the pizza (the Sfincione) originated from the city of Palermo.

Local pizza in Sicily

In Sicily there are many local ways to prepare pizza, often very different from the classic neapolitan pizza. The Sicilian methods of making pizza are linked to local culture and country traditions, so there are differences in preparing pizza even among the Sicilian regions of Palermo, Catania, Siracusa, and Messina.

In the province of Palermo is very common the Sfincione (or Sfinciuni in Sicilian language) a variety of pizza that originated in Palermo. Unlike the more familiar neapolitan pizza, it is typically square, with more dough, sauce and cheese. An authentic recipe often calls for Caciocavallo, bread crumbs, onion, tomato sauce and bits of anchovies.

In province of Catania is diffused from ages the Scacciata, made in two different ways: a first layer made of dough covered, within the city, by a local cheese (Tuma) and anchovies, or, in the region around Catania, by potatoes, sausages, broccoli, and tomato sauce. In both the case a second layer of dough brushed with eggs cover everything. Still in the region of Catania, in Zafferana Etnea and in Viagrande it is diffused the typical pizza siciliana: a fried calzone stuffed with cheese, anchovies and mushrooms.

In the province of Siracusa, especially in Solarino and Sortino it can be found the Pizzòlu a kind of round stuffed pizza.

In the province of Messina it is cooked the traditional Piduni, a kind of calzone stuffed with endive, tuma cheese, tomato and anchovies. Moreover it can be found the Focaccia alla messinese prepared with tomato sauce, tuma cheese, vegetables and anchovies.

Sicilian pizza in the USA

In the United States, a Sicilian pizza is typically a square pie with dough over an inch thick. Similar to the dish known as tomato pie, this pizza is popular in Italian-American enclaves throughout Greater Boston, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, and especially in Utica, New York, a city whose sizable Italian-American population is predominantly Sicilian. It is typically served in an aluminum baking sheet.

See also

• Sicilian cuisine