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Crescione

17/11/2023

Crescioni, also known as cassoni or stuffed flatbreads, are a typical dish of Romagna cuisine. They are similar to piadina, but are stuffed and then cooked on a griddle. The traditional filling often includes spinach or chard, cheese, and sometimes even cured meats. Here is the recipe to make crescioni.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of flour
  • 200 ml of warm water
  • 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda (optional) For the filling:
  • 500 g of spinach or chard
  • 250 g of squacquerone or stracchino cheese (if not available, another soft and spreadable cheese)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Garlic (optional)
  • Olive oil as needed

Preparation

  1. To make the dough for the crescioni, mix the flour with the salt and baking soda in a bowl. Make a well in the center and gradually add the oil and warm water, working the dough until it becomes a smooth and elastic ball. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water; if it’s too wet, add a bit more flour. Let the dough rest covered with a cloth for about 30 minutes.

  2. In the meantime, cook the spinach or chard in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a clove of garlic, if you like. Drain the vegetables well to remove excess water, then season with salt and pepper.

  3. Divide the dough into balls of about 80-100 grams each. Roll out each ball with a rolling pin into discs about 3-4 millimeters thick.

  4. Distribute the filling over half of each dough disc, placing the vegetables first and then the cheese. Fold the other half of the disc over the filling and seal the edges by pressing with your fingers or with the tines of a fork.

  5. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and cook the crescioni one at a time for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn golden brown and the cheese inside begins to melt.

  6. Serve the crescioni hot, right after cooking.

Curiosity

In Romagna, it is a tradition to eat crescioni during village festivals and fairs, accompanied by a good glass of Sangiovese. They can be a great alternative to the traditional meal, as they are both a unique dish and a snack for strolling.

Crescione