Savory Colomba

The savory Colomba is a salty variation of the traditional sweet Easter Colomba, ideal to serve as an appetizer or snack during the Easter holidays or on other occasions. It is a leavened and soft dough, which can be enriched with various ingredients to your liking, such as cheeses, cured meats, and vegetables.

Here is the basic recipe for the savory Colomba:

Ingredients

• 500 g of strong flour (plus more for dusting)
• 150 ml of warm whole milk
• 100 ml of warm water
• 15 g of fresh yeast (or 5 g of dry yeast)
• 10 g of fine salt
• 10 g of sugar
• 50 g of soft butter
• 2 medium eggs
• 150 g of mixed cheese cubes (e.g., provolone, emmental, fontina)
• 100 g of cured meat cubes (e.g., cooked ham, salami)
• 1 egg for brushing
• Sesame or poppy seeds for decoration

Preparation

1. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk and water with the sugar, and let it rest for a few minutes until a light foam forms.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour with the salt, add the mixture of milk, yeast, and water, and start to knead.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, and when they are well incorporated, start adding the soft butter in pieces.
4. Continue to knead until you get a smooth and elastic dough, then add the cubes of cheese and cured meats and knead gently to distribute them throughout the dough.
5. Let the dough rise in a warm place, covered with a clean cloth, until it doubles in volume (about 2 hours).
6. Turn out the risen dough onto a floured surface, deflate it gently and give it the shape of a dove using a special mold or forming it by hand.
7. Transfer the Colomba onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
8. Let it rise again for about 1 hour, until it becomes soft to the touch.
9. Brush the surface with a beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.
10. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through the center.
11. Remove the Colomba from the oven and let it cool on a rack before serving.

Did you know?

The dove is a symbol of peace and rebirth, with roots stretching back to ancient times. The savory version is a modern invention that utilizes the evocative shape of this bird to create a unique and tasty dish that pairs well with spring and Easter celebrations. You can personalize your filling following local tastes and traditions or experiment with various combinations of seasonal ingredients.