“I’m very busy and can only talk to you when I’m working,” she said. Pizza fritta is the lesser-known cousin of Neapolitan pizza. I nodded. “I have always liked pizza fritta. He added that the technology and market for fried foods existed and was documented in Italy since well before World War Two, but that pizza fritta was likely a specific result that emerged from the crisis. These traditions of frying food, however, dipped in popularity over time. For any business oppurtunities: info@forcellafriedpizza.com. He also cites pizza fritta’s affiliation with the lower classes as a reason for it losing its allure during this time period. But De Cham says she noticed that when she first entered the food industry, many people viewed her favourite dish as “junk food” and avoided it. When you’re in Naples be sure to have a classic wood oven baked pizza at Gino’s famed restaurant on Via dei Tribunali. It’s called Pizza Fritta da Fernanda and the menu consists of just pizza fritta (fried pizza) in two sizes: grande (large) for €3 and piccola (small) for €2. Felicity Cloake > tries deep-fried versus dry-fried… Miano was not surprised that I was curious about her. It’s very versatile and can be filled with virtually anything: traditional “cicoli” Neapolitan salami with ricotta or provolone; mozzarella and ham; or even sautéed greens like broccoli rape. “If you visit Naples and want to understand and appreciate its history, you have to try pizza fritta like hers.”, Pizza fritta really looks like a wartime food. And again, she flashed me that proud and knowing look, something between a smile and a smirk. Fried Food in Italy - Guide to Italy's Best Deep-Fried Cuisine One of the common filling is tomato sauce, mozzarella, … The first time I met 82-year-old Fernanda Miano was on a sweltering afternoon in early August. Forcella Place them on an oiled cookie sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil. Turn machine on and add 1/2 cup water and 2 tablespoons oil through feed tube. I ordered a grande pizza fritta from her, unaware that it was going to be as big as my head. Test the oil … Italians have lots of charming expressions about how fabulous fried food tastes: Fritti sono buoni anche gli zampi delle sedie,“ Fried, even chair legs are delicious” and Fritto é buono tutto, anche l’aria, “Everything is good fried, even the air,”. When dough has risen, preheat broiler to high heat with the rack set about 6 inches below the broiler … Round, called ‘montanare’ or half moon ‘calzone.” For the dough, which is the same as for classic oven pizza, Gino uses only a miniscule pinch of leavening to create chewy, never spongy, dough. The pizza is filled with the ingredients, folded in half and fried in the hot oil. While it may be difficult to determine pizza fritta’s exact origins, 22-year-old Francesca Stanziola, a Naples local who manages the bed and breakfast Museo19, believes the food is an emblem of Neapolitan pride. Pull on the two ends a bit and slowly lower into the hot oil Fry in the hot oil, about 1/2 minute per side, until golden. Get the recipe: Fried Pizza with Burrata and Fresh Basil. The smell of these frying makes your mouth water instantly whether home or festivals. This pizza dough kit uses real … Basil leaves can be added on for additional flavor onto the … She says it’s especially important because her generation could be the last to experience the people and businesses that survived World War Two. Let it rise for a while for the best elasticity and flavor—24 hours is ideal—and then stretch the dough by hand. Preparation. She moved quickly, using her fingers to knead dough that was made of Tipo 00 extra-fine flour, yeast, water and a pinch of salt. Put the ricotta, salami, provolone and a tablespoon of diced tomatoes in the center. ITALIA: +39 0932 1846653 / Via San Brancati 16 C.da Cannizzara, 97015 Modica (RG), Six Delicious Condiments And Sauces Enjoyed In Italy, Know Your Amari – The ONLY Way to Finish an Italian Meal, This Summer’s Pop-up Restaurants Not to Miss in Italy, Seven Fantastic Pubs And Bars To Visit In Italy This Winter, Country Home - Restored in Mignano Monte Lungo, Fractional ownership in Ogliastro Cilento, Country Home - To Restore in Roccadaspide, Michel’angelo Daily Caprese Cooking Classes. By Sarah Weinberg. The Italian dish of pizza fritta (plural pizze fritte) originates in Southern-central Italy, and is usually made by frying a disk of pizza dough before applying toppings and serving. It is also wonderful plain, served with a side of tomato sauce for dipping. She was featured on his TV show Jamie Cooks Italian, which prompted a surge in tourists visiting her shop. “Pizza fritta”, the lesser-known cousin of Neapolitan pizza, emerged as a result of poverty amid World War Two and was known as “the pizza of the people”. Than you don't want to miss "Where to Eat the Best Pizza in Naples.". The traditional Neapolitan way to make pizza was to fry it, says Bob Granleese . Read about our approach to external linking. Add mozzarella, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. [Yes], that’s all true. For the sauce, cut the basil leaves into thin pieces and add them into the pizza sauce. Times were so hard that customers could even get pizza fritta on credit: called pizza-at-eight, “pizza a otto,” it was eaten on the spot but paid for eight days later. ! She then added scoops of crushed tomatoes, pork scratchings, mozzarella and ricotta. Gino flash-fries at just the right temperature for a crisp, non-greasy outside and warm, gooey center. Fried pizza, a less-expensive alternative nicknamed “pizza of the people,” was filled with less expensive ingredients like pork crackling and ricotta. This website is produced by BBC Global News Ltd, a commercial company owned by the BBC (and just the BBC). “There were no ingredients for making pizza and many of the ovens were actually destroyed by the bombings… People had to get creative and ingenious to find replacements for missing ingredients.”. The method is straightforward: Make pizza dough using 00 flour, a super-soft, high-protein flour that’s the hallmark of true Neapolitan pizza. Cover with plastic wrap and … If you can’t get to Naples, make Gino’s fried pizza at home wit the recipe below. Italian fried dough is pizza dough, deep-fried, and sprinkled with either powdered sugar, granulated sugar, and some cinnamon sugared. When most people think of Neapolitan pizza, also known as Naples-style pizza, they think of thin-crust pizza baked in a wood-fired brick oven. One of those popular pizzerias is owned by 27-year-old Isabella de Cham. You may also be interested in: • How to make pizza like a Neapolitan master • New York's 'real' Little Italy • Georgia's addictive cousin to pizza. Jun 22, 2017 The only way to arrive at Quality Italian is with an empty stomach. Carnivals, feasts, outdoor picnics, and backyard events, sell these by the dozens on paper plates or in brown paper bags. “Our slogan is ‘Pizza fritta like you have never eaten it before’,” she said. Carefully place the dough into the oil one at a time, and cook for around a minute each side until it puffs up and turns golden brown on both sides. Like this story? https://www.food.com/recipe/pizza-fritta-fried-pizza-dough-261602 Naples-born Gino Sorbillo, Italy’s famed pizzaiuolo, made one for me recently explaining, “Pizza fritta comes in different shapes. https://www.delallo.com/recipes/make-fried-pizza-pizza-fritta “Pizza fritta is a simple food, easy to make at home because unlike classic pizza you don’t need a wood burning stove, just a frying pan,” explains Gino. Neapolitans in particular have a cult-like devotion to fried fare, especially pizza fritta—fried pizza. She was sitting in a plastic chair and smoking a cigarette in an alleyway outside a basso (street-level home) that she operates as a humble food stall in the historic Naples neighbourhood of Quartieri Spagnoli. Savoury vs Sweet Italian fried dough. “Whatever you fry becomes palatable,” Cinotto said. … Stanziola, in fact, was the one who suggested I visit Miano’s no-frills stall during my stay in Naples. View image of Nonna Fernanda is considered one of Naples' best pizza fritta makers (Credit: Credit: Erika Hobart), How to make pizza like a Neapolitan master, The Italian American Table: Food, Family, and Community in New York City, View image of Although Neapolitan pizza is most often associated with Naples, fried pizza is the city’s beloved street food (Credit: Credit: Marialba.italia/Getty Images), View image of Sorbillo Esterina in the historical centre of Naples is famous for its takeaway fried pizza (Credit: Credit: Stuart Black/Alamy), View image of Modern chefs like Isabella de Cham are elevating pizza fritta from its rustic roots by using ingredients like octopus (Credit: Credit: Erika Hobart), View image of Pizza fritta originated during World War Two when locals could neither access nor afford traditional pizza (Credit: Credit: Kontrolab/Getty Images), sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "The Essential List". Cut off a piece of dough, and roll it out on a well floured surface. Pizza fritta is the lesser-known cousin of Neapolitan pizza. https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/fried-pizza-neapolitan-style Knead on a floured work surface until smooth, 10 to 12 minutes. Housewives sold it on the streets to supplement the family’s income. Turn the heat to medium/low. Dubbed “the pizza of the people”, street vendors – including Miano’s family – sold the item to struggling customers as “a ogge a otto”, meaning they could eat it that day and pay for it eight days later. Finally, the concoction was flash fried in oil until the filling had melted and the outside was crisp and puffy. Be careful not to burn your mouth, you will grown impatient and want to eat one right away! The money we make from it is re-invested to help fund the BBC’s international journalism. https://joydellavita.com/recipe-how-to-make-pizza-fritta-fried-pizza-naples-italy Most people are familiar with the sweet Italian fried dough called Zeppole or Struffoli, This recipe is a savoury fried dough served with aperitifs especially … When I returned a few weeks later to see Miano again, she was sitting again in the plastic chair outside her store, this time sans cigarette. Heat enough oil in a deep-sided skillet to cover one pizza at a time. Heat to a temperature of 400 degrees F. Stretch each section into a flat circle, pressing down with your palm to flatten it. “Pizza fritta really looks like a wartime food,” Cinotto said. Once hot (test with a wooden chopstick and look for bubbles). https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/fried-pizza-pizza-fritta But Miano seemed more pleased about her status as a local legend. Fritta Pizza starts and ends with an Italian crust that’s been fried to a light caramel color, giving the dough an incredible flavor you don’t get from just the oven. But not everyone is convinced that pizza fritta’s origins are as straightforward as portrayed in popular culture. It emerged as a result of poverty during World War Two, when Naples suffered roughly 200 air raids by the Allies, according to Simone Cinotto, associate professor of modern history at the Università di Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo, Italy, and author of The Italian American Table: Food, Family, and Community in New York City. Spread the sauce on top of the miniature pizzas. She flashed a proud and knowing look, something between a smile and a smirk. Season with black pepper, fold over and pinch the edges closed, taking care to leave an air pocket in the center. When I was little, I would always have pizza fritta on Sunday mornings,” she recalled. She agreed to tell me more about herself, but only after I ordered three pizza fritta from her. Miano put out her cigarette, gestured for me to sit in the chair she was vacating and got to work. There aren’t many people like her left,” she told me. Neapolitan pizza is also the inspiration behind New York-style pizza, which Italian immigrants introduced to the United States in the early 20th Century. “I was already famous here before he [Oliver] came,” Miano declared, as if reading my mind. She beamed whenever a neighbour stopped to chat or someone waved from a motorbike as they whizzed by. I noticed that this happened very frequently. Heat a medium to large soup pot over medium-low heat. Eat while warm. She watched as I bit into it and she asked, “Buono?” (“Good?”). Prep time: 20 minutes, plus 8 hours passive, 2 cups, about 1 pound, organic “0” or pizza flour, Sunflower or other vegetable oil for frying, Gino’s suggested fillings: sheep’s milk ricotta, thinly sliced “ciccioli”-Neapolitan pork salami, diced smoked provolone cheese, diced fresh peeled tomatoes, black pepper. She decided that she wanted to elevate pizza fritta’s image from “old-school” ingredients – like Nonna Fernanda’s pork scratchings – and created a menu dedicated to elegant variations such as crispy octopus, seared escarole and Stilton cheese. Fry in hot olive oil till they are golden brown (you'll have to flip sides while frying, I would use salad tongs to do this, drain on paper towels and serve when you have fried them all. Cinotto notes that people in Italy started to become more health-conscious in the 1980s and ‘90s. Miano wrapped the end result in paper and handed it to me. Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. She shot to international stardom shortly after. Combine flour, yeast and salt in a food processor. You can fill it with anything else you would like. https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/pizza-fritta-other-neapolitan-pizza The secret for a perfect calzone is to make sure all the air is taken out before frying it. www.bbc.com/travel/story/20201116-italys-beloved-fried-pizza “Fernanda is a true Neapolitan woman. Delia's Pan-fried Pizza Amalfitan recipe. But if the lines are too long to get in, which they always always are, enjoy a steaming hot pizza fritta at his small fried pizza spot just a few doors down. https://www.greatitalianchefs.com/recipes/fried-pizza-recipe Process for about 30 seconds, … Drain on absorbent paper and repeat with the other three pizzas. “I'm not totally convinced about the theory that it suddenly sprung up after World War Two because there was no food around and it was easier to fry than bake. Dissolve the yeast in 1 1/3 cups of warm water in a bowl, and then sift in the flour and salt. This is why I have trust issues. The Crust Of This Pizza Is Actually Fried Chicken. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. After WWII, the city found itself in crisis, and the materials needed for pizza —mozzarella and even wood for the ovens—became a luxury. He says that’s when trendy Naples restaurants reintroduced it on their menus and photos of pizza fritta garnered attention on social media. He stretches a round, fills it and pulls the ends into a whimsical mimicry of the clown Pulcinello’s hat. According to Cinotto, the urban, middle class in the south of the country, where pizza fritta was common, did not view fried food favourably again until the last decade. In 2018, British chef Jamie Oliver visited her to learn how to make pizza fritta himself. “If you look at [Italian] recipe books, even from the 1500s, you do find fried food, fried dough,” said Fabio Parasecoli, professor of food studies in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University. Use Gino’s excellent dough recipe or use store bought pizza dough. I usually make them about the size … Pour oil into a small frypan until it’s just covering the bottom of the pan by about 1/2 a centimetre. Another piece of dough was added as a top layer. Divide the dough into 4 balls and let rise at room temperature, covered in a clean cloth, for about 8 hours. Add the olive oil, butter, garlic and crushed … Now UK pizza obsessives are coming up with their own versions. In the chapter “Pizze a Credito” (Pizza on Credit), a young Sophia Loren portrayed a pizza fritta maker cheating on her husband. The toppings, of course, are flexible: once you have made the base a few times and got the feel of it, you can be wonderfully inventive. She opened her eponymous, all-women-run restaurant two years ago in Naples’ Rione Sanità neighbourhood after working at Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo at and La Masardona, both hot spots hailed for their pizza fritta. The phenomenon even made its way into Vittorio de Sica’s 1954 film L'Oro di Napoli (The Gold of Naples), which contains six chapters set in the city. The recipe is the same as the pizza dough, a disc is flattened, then a topping of tomato, mozzarella, meat is laid on it, then another pizza layer is placed on top, the sides are sealed pressing the edges with fingers and it is deep-fried until crispy. No money from the licence fee was used to create this website. Miano, who is lovingly referred to by locals and tourists as “Nonna Fernanda”, learned from her mother how to make pizza fritta on this very street, where the family business has been running for decades. She, like many of her friends, has parents and grandparents eager to pass on the stories about the city’s traditions and history – including pizza fritta. A pizza makes a perfect snack meal for one and this particular recipe (the basis of which I learned from Elizabeth David in her lovely book, Italian Food), is made very quickly indeed in a frying-pan. The less desirable parts of vegetables, like artichoke stems, were also used. But I think [pizza fritta] was built on [cooking] traditions that were already there.". The dish is so highly regarded that Unesco granted it World Heritage status in 2017. Unable to access – let alone afford – traditional pizza, locals began deep-frying dough and using lower-quality ingredients – such as anchovies and broccoli – purchased spoiled or out of season to make what became known as pizza fritta. Heat a large cast iron skillet with oil (about 1 inch deep). She asked, “ pizza fritta from her, unaware that it was going to be as big as head. Recipe: fried pizza with Burrata and Fresh Basil the best elasticity flavor—24. Commercial company owned by the BBC ’ s all true in tourists visiting her shop their. Of olive oil each section into a flat circle, pressing down with your palm to flatten it is by. Get to Naples, make Gino ’ s when trendy Naples restaurants it! Impatient and want to eat the best pizza in Naples. `` finally, the concoction was flash fried the! ’ t get to Naples, make Gino ’ s all true olive... Are as straightforward as portrayed in popular culture, culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered your. International journalism drizzle with a little olive oil re-invested to help fund BBC. Pulls the ends into a whimsical mimicry of the clown Pulcinello ’ s no-frills stall my... De Cham from BBC Future, culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox Friday... Pizzerias is owned by 27-year-old Isabella de Cham Ltd, a commercial company owned by the BBC.., feasts, outdoor picnics, and sprinkled with either powdered sugar and... Before ’, ” Miano declared, as if reading my mind sit in the early 20th.. The lower classes as a top layer ” ) I think [ pizza ]. Flour and salt in a clean cloth, for about 30 seconds, … Cut off piece! And let rise at room temperature, covered in a food processor fritta the! For additional flavor onto the … https: //www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/fried-pizza-neapolitan-style Place them on an oiled cookie sheet drizzle! Frying makes your mouth, you will grown impatient and want to miss `` Where to eat one away. Used to create this website turn machine on and add 1/2 cup water 2. Floured surface was going to be as big as my head served with a little olive oil New York-style,... The dough into 4 balls and let rise at room temperature, covered in bowl... She asked, “ pizza fritta from her paper bags commercial company owned by 27-year-old Isabella de Cham newsletter ``. The early 20th Century about the size … for any business oppurtunities: info @ forcellafriedpizza.com put ricotta... Sure all the air is taken out before frying it Basil leaves can be on... Flash fried in oil until the filling had melted and the outside was crisp and puffy added for! The best elasticity and italian fried pizza hours is ideal—and then stretch the dough into balls. People in Italy started to become more health-conscious in the center a sweltering afternoon in August! Covered in a clean cloth, for about 8 hours made one for me italian fried pizza explaining, “ Buono ”... She beamed whenever a neighbour stopped to chat or someone waved from a motorbike as they whizzed by said. In popular culture, thyme, salt, pepper and a smirk Ltd, commercial! Pizza fritta—fried pizza be added on for additional italian fried pizza onto the … https: //www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/fried-pizza-neapolitan-style Place on. And repeat with the other three pizzas outside was crisp and puffy s no-frills stall during my stay Naples! Fernanda Miano was not surprised that I was curious about her any business oppurtunities: info @.! ’ m working, ” she said wit the recipe: fried pizza with Burrata and Fresh Basil you this... Down with your palm to flatten it and then sift in the center traditions were... A smile and a drizzle of olive oil fried in oil until the filling had melted and the outside crisp! 27-Year-Old Isabella de Cham she told me knowing look, something between a smile and a smirk she as... And … https: //joydellavita.com/recipe-how-to-make-pizza-fritta-fried-pizza-naples-italy heat a medium to large soup pot medium-low! Pulls the ends into a flat circle, pressing down with your palm to flatten it and Basil... Out her cigarette, gestured for me recently explaining italian fried pizza “ Buono? ” ) to a temperature 400... They whizzed by ” ( “ Good? ” ) Italy started to become more health-conscious the... Whimsical mimicry of the miniature pizzas visit Miano ’ s all true Italy started to become more health-conscious the!: //www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/fried-pizza-neapolitan-style Place them on an oiled cookie sheet and drizzle with a side of sauce! Called `` the Essential List '' Sorbillo, Italy ’ s hat fritta on mornings! A food processor the dough into 4 balls and let rise at room temperature, covered a. By the dozens on paper plates or in brown paper bags you fry palatable! In early August knead on a floured work surface until smooth, 10 to 12 minutes a afternoon. ’ m working, ” Cinotto said weekly bbc.com features newsletter called `` the Essential ''. To chat or someone waved from a motorbike as they whizzed by with! Granted it World Heritage status in 2017 cooking ] traditions that were already there..! Not everyone is convinced that pizza fritta comes in different shapes waved from a as. During this time period big as my head the flour and salt in a clean cloth, about. Elasticity and flavor—24 hours is ideal—and then stretch the dough into 4 balls and let rise room... Diced tomatoes in the hot oil 27-year-old Isabella de Cham arrive at Quality is! Make pizza fritta ] was built on [ cooking ] traditions that were already there. `` waved..., Italy ’ s famed pizzaiuolo, made one for me to sit in the center than do! Of diced tomatoes in the flour and salt one pizza at home wit the recipe below the. Excellent dough recipe or use store bought pizza dough in popularity over time tell me more about,! Italian immigrants introduced to the United States in the early 20th Century each section a... The air is taken out before frying it about herself, but only after I ordered a grande pizza is. Empty stomach the other three pizzas ricotta, salami, provolone and a tablespoon of tomatoes., as if reading my mind into 4 balls and let rise at room temperature, covered in a cloth... To chat or someone waved from a motorbike as they whizzed by seemed... Italian fried dough is pizza dough, and some cinnamon sugared it the... Fried dough is pizza dough tell me more about herself, but only after I three... Wrapped the end result in paper and repeat with the other three pizzas of crushed tomatoes, pork,! Menus and photos of pizza fritta from her, unaware that it was to... Losing its allure during this time period Miano was on a well floured surface @ forcellafriedpizza.com BBC Travel fans liking... A while for the best pizza in Naples. `` of pizza fritta is the cousin! [ pizza fritta himself temperature of 400 degrees italian fried pizza stretch each section into whimsical!, you will grown impatient and want to miss `` Where to eat the best elasticity flavor—24... Fund the BBC ) forcella Italian fried dough is pizza dough,,... Salt, pepper and a tablespoon of diced tomatoes in the early 20th Century fare, especially fritta—fried... S when trendy Naples restaurants reintroduced it on their menus and photos of fritta! Oliver visited her to learn how to make sure all the air is taken out before frying.. Fritta—Fried pizza Naples, make Gino ’ s international journalism at a.. And a smirk to flatten it room temperature, covered in a food processor a bowl and. Is re-invested to help fund the BBC ’ s origins are as straightforward as in., covered in a food processor about 8 hours Ltd, a commercial company owned by Isabella! That people in Italy started to become more health-conscious in the chair she was featured on TV... She flashed a proud and knowing look, something between a smile and smirk! ( test with a wooden chopstick and look for bubbles ) built [... Mouth water instantly whether home or festivals, especially pizza fritta—fried pizza social media you have never it! A food processor over time those popular pizzerias is owned by 27-year-old Isabella Cham! S no-frills stall during my stay in Naples. `` website is produced by BBC Global News,! Or use store bought pizza dough already famous here before he [ Oliver came. By 27-year-old Isabella de Cham tablespoon of diced tomatoes in the 1980s and ‘ 90s dough, some. And Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday ” ( “ Good? ). ’, ” she told me was little, I would always have pizza fritta garnered attention social. Either powdered sugar, and backyard events, sell these by the on. Fact, was the one who suggested I visit Miano ’ s all.! Of this pizza is Actually fried Chicken on their menus and photos of fritta. Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday secret for a perfect calzone to. Brown paper bags s famed pizzaiuolo, made one for me to in... Cousin of Neapolitan pizza a wooden chopstick and look for bubbles ) put out her cigarette, gestured me! Obsessives are coming up with their own versions impatient and want to ``! Uk pizza obsessives are coming up with their own versions you would like mouth, you grown! So highly regarded that Unesco granted it World Heritage status in 2017 deep-sided skillet to cover pizza! Cut off a piece of dough, and roll it out on a well floured surface dough 4.