Home
Valentine Ideas
Baci Perugina
Food Gift Baskets
...Gifts for someone special Gifts for Him
Gifts for Her
Italian Weddings
Alessi® Gifts
Baby Gifts
Jewelry & Watches Italian Jewelry
Murano Glass Gifts
Italian Charms
Italian Watches
Italian Perfumes
Clothes, Shoes & Bags Italian Shoes
Italian Designer Shoes
Italian Handbags
Designer Laptop Bags
Italian Fashion
Italian Suits
Italian Sunglasses
Food & Wine Italian Food Gifts
Best Italian Recipes
Italian Wine Gifts
More Italian Gifts Espresso Machines
Italian Gift Shops
Learn Italian Romantic Sayings
Learn Italian Free
Italian Newspapers
Seasonal Gifts Italian Christmas
Easter Food
Search Better! Site Search
Sitemap
Contact us! Contact Us
Italian Gifts Blog
What is RSS?
Legal Disclaimer
Privacy Policy

[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

 

Italian Easter Pie

Traditional Easter Foods from Italy

Do you need some background information regarding italian easter pie - maybe even a wonderful easter pie recipe? Then you have come to the right place.

Every year, Italian families clamor around the dinner table to partake in a delicious and savory dish called Easter pie.

each family has their own recipe

Easter pie is highly original. Each family has their own recipe. Depending on the region the family has roots in, the pies can be distinctly different. In general, the pie takes one of three forms.

The most well known form is similar to a quiche. The second type is made like a calzone. The final form is more bread-like.

easter pie with whole grains

In Naples, the birthplace of pizza, Easter pie revolves around whole grains of wheat and ricotta cheese. The wheat is a symbol of rebirth. The Naples version is sometimes called pizza piena, translated stuffed pie. Other names include pastiera, Pizza Rustico and pizzachino.

eggs and chees are key components

Pork, macaroni, eggs and cheese are typically found in Sicilian varieties. As you move southwest through Italy, you will find a Calabrian version. Ham and mozzarella are key components for this region's pie. They also substitute hard cooked eggs instead of the traditional beaten eggs found in most pies.

bread-like Easter pie

Central Italy is one of the few areas you will find a more bread-like Easter pie. Their version is referred to as pizza di pasca or torte di pasca.

Ligurian varieties are similarly named as pasqualina. However, they take a more traditional form. Eggs, cheese, spinach and ricotta are common components in their version.

no hard facts or rules

When making Easter pie, there are no hard and fast rules. It can be altered to fit your preferences. Soft and semi-soft cheeses do work better than hard ones as they melt better. However, you may want to grate a little Parmesan or Romano cheese on just before serving for an extra punch of flavor.

Experiment with eggs to find the right one

Meat can be anything you like. Pancetta, pepperoni, sausage and sopresso are popular options. Experiment with eggs to find the right one. If you prefer a quiche-like pie, beaten eggs work best. Hard cooked eggs will give you a more pizza-like pie.

Italian Easter Pie Recipe

Ingredients

1 double layer pastry crust
(can be homemade or storebought)

4 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 whole egg, lightly beaten

2 handful fresh spinach leaves

¼ lb prosciutto, thinly sliced

4 oz sausage, chopped

4 oz pepperoni, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

15 oz ricotta cheese

12 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Lower oven rack to bottom and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Chop one handful of spinach and set aside.

3. In large skillet, saute spinach, sausage and pepperoni in oil.

4. Add garlic and cook one minute. Set aside to cool.

5. In bowl, combine eggs yolks and cheeses. Stir in sausage mixture.

6. Line 9 inch deep dish pie or springform pan with bottom layer of pie crust.

7. Layer remaining spinach over dough followed by layer of proscuitto.

8. Pour in sausage mixture and top with other layer of pie dough.

9. Crimp edges to seal. Brush with beaten whole egg. If desired, sprinkle a little grated Parmesan or Romano cheese on crust.

10. Bake at 350 degrees one hour until crust is golden brown.

11. Serve warm.

Create you own italian easter pie highlight

This is just one of the many recipes for Italian Easter pie. With a little experimentation, you may come up with a new one for your own family tradition.



Return from "this" page to Italian Easter Food
Return from "italian easter pie" page to Best Italian Gifts