Pastizzu or Impanata Noto Style
For Christmas, in the town of Noto, tradition calls for the preparation of a specialty called pastizzu. Pastizzu, or pasticcio in Italian; it refers to a dish composed of various ingredients wrapped in a sheet of pasta dough and cooked in the oven.
The execution of this dish is mostly left to the discretion of the preparer and, except for the sheet of pasta dough to wrap the pastizzu, the ingredients used depends on the availability or what the pantry has to offer. The following recipe is for guidance.
- Serving Size8
- Baked DelicaciesPastizzu or Impanata Noto Style
Ingredients
For the Dough (Alternatively, you can buy 2 lb of bread dough at your local Italian bakery and work 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of 1 lemon into the dough)
- 2lb flour
- 2 oz fresh active yeast or 3 envelopes of dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Pinch of salt
- Water
The Filling
- i. The Sauce
- 1 ¼ lb plain sausages without casing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 small size onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup dry red wine
- 1 14 oz can peeled tomato, chopped
- ¼ cup finely chopped Italian parsley
- Salt and pepper
- ii. The Cauliflower
- Florets of a small head of cauliflower, about 1 lb
- ½ medium onion, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- iii. The Pasta
- 1 lb pasta, penne or ziti rigate (ridged)
The Assembly
- 12 oz ricotta
- 1 ½ cups grated Piacentino cheese or your preferred cheese
The Baking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
PREPARATION OF THE DOUGH
In a bowl, mix ½ cup of warm water and the yeast. Add the sugar, ½ cup of flour and mix until it is well blended and a soft dough is formed. If it is too dry, add some water; if it is too watery, add flour. Set aside, covered in a warm place. After 45 minutes to 1 hour combine risen dough with remaining flour, add some lukewarm water, the oil, the lemon juice and a pinch of salt and knead to form an elastic dough similar to bread dough. Make into a ball, cut across the top to allow it to rise, cover and put in a warm place until it almost doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours.
FOR THE FILLING
The Sauce: In a 4-quart saucepan, over a medium flame, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the onions and cook until the onions are translucent. Add sausage meat and sauté until the onions are light golden in color, stirring and breaking up any lumps of meat. Add wine and increase to a high heat to allow the alcohol to quickly evaporate. Lower heat to medium and add tomatoes; salt and pepper to taste. Lower the flame and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let it rest a few minutes, then skim off any excessive fat, set aside and keep warm.
The Cauliflower: Blanch the florets in boiling, salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a 4-quart saucepan, over a medium flame, heat the olive oil, add the onion and sauté until golden in color. Add cauliflower and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set on the side.
The Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, reducing the recommended cooking time by 3 minutes. When pasta is ready, drain, return to the pot where it was cooked and toss with the sauce. Set on the side.
THE ASSEMBLY
When dough is ready, split it into 2 pieces. Briefly knead each piece and roll it to cover a greased round springform pan (10 x 2 ½ inches). Sprinkle half of the cheese in the pasta and pour into pan. Add sautéed cauliflower, spread the ricotta evenly and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Knead the other piece of dough and, before rolling it, moisten the edges of the pastizzu with water. Place on top of the focaccia and pinch to seal well. Cut 2 or 3 slits on top to allow the vapor to escape.
THE BAKING
Preheat the oven to 400F, bake for 15 minutes, remove from oven and wash top of the pastizzu with the olive oil. Return to oven for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until light golden brown.
Serve it hot!