Rustic Speck and Potato Pizza

The rustic pizza with speck and potatoes is a delectable dish that combines the smoky aroma of speck with the sweetness of potatoes, all wrapped in a crispy crust. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 250 grams of pizza dough (you can use ready-made or make it yourself with flour, water, yeast, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil)
• 2 medium potatoes
• 150 grams of sliced speck
• 200 grams of mozzarella (or scamorza for a more intense flavor)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Rosemary (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. If you are using ready-made pizza dough, let it rest at room temperature for at least one hour before rolling it out. If you prefer to make the dough yourself, mix the ingredients and let it rise until it doubles in volume.

2. Boil the potatoes in boiling water until they are soft, then let them cool, peel them, and slice them thinly.

3. Preheat the oven to 220 °C (static mode).

4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to create the pizza base. You can opt for a round or rectangular shape, according to the baking tray you have.

5. Transfer the base onto a lightly oiled baking tray or one covered with parchment paper.

6. Arrange the potato slices evenly on the dough, seasoning them with a pinch of salt, pepper, and chopped rosemary if you wish.

7. Cut the mozzarella or scamorza into cubes and distribute them over the potatoes.

8. Finally, add the speck by cutting it into strips or leaving the slices whole, according to your preference.

9. Drizzle the surface with a stream of extra virgin olive oil and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and the mozzarella has taken on a nice amber color.

10. Remove the rustic speck and potato pizza from the oven and let it rest a few minutes before serving.

Curiosity

Speck is a typical cured meat from South Tyrol, in Italy, where it is produced following traditional methods involving smoking and curing. Its combination with potatoes and use in a rustic pizza creates a unique and rich flavor, which pairs well with homemade Italian cuisine.