Rustic Ham and Cheese Pizza

17/11/2023

The Rustic Pizza with ham and cheese is a traditional Italian recipe, typical of festive occasions and especially the Easter period. It is a stuffed savory pie that combines the savory taste of ham with the richness of cheeses.

Ingredients

500 g puff pastry or shortcrust pastry
250 g cooked ham, diced
300 g mixed grated cheeses (you can use a combination of mozzarella, pecorino, parmesan, and scamorza, according to your tastes)
4 eggs
100 g ricotta
Salt and pepper to taste
A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
1 egg yolk for brushing (optional)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
Roll out a disc of puff pastry or shortcrust pastry into a pie dish, making sure it covers the edges as well. Prick the bottom with the tines of a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
In a bowl, mix the diced cooked ham with the mixed grated cheeses.
In another bowl, beat the eggs with the ricotta until you have a smooth mixture. Add salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of nutmeg to taste.
Combine the egg and ricotta mixture with the ham and cheese mix and pour everything into the pan lined with the dough.
Roll out a second disc of dough and cover the filling, sealing the edges of the puff pastry or shortcrust pastry well. You can make cuts on the surface to allow the release of steam or create a decorative design.
If you wish, you can brush the surface of the rustic pizza with a beaten egg yolk to give the pie a golden and shiny appearance.
Bake the rustic pizza for about 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and well cooked.
Allow to cool slightly before serving.

This rustic pizza can be enjoyed both warm and at room temperature. It is perfect for a picnic, a buffet, or as a centerpiece during the holidays.

Curiosity

Despite the name “pizza,” the rustic pizza doesn’t have much in common with the classic Neapolitan pizza. Its consistency is more similar to that of a quiche and is often enriched with additional ingredients such as cured meats and vegetables. In Southern Italy, particularly in Campania and Abruzzo, the rustic pizza is an indispensable dish during the Easter celebrations.