Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Agrigento-Style Pizza
Discover the authentic taste of Sicily with Agrigento-style pizza, featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh caciocavallo cheese, and a fragrant hint of oregano.
📖 What is it
Discover the authentic taste of Sicily with Agrigento-style pizza, featuring ripe tomatoes, fresh caciocavallo cheese, and a fragrant hint of oregano.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 500 g of risen bread dough
- ✓ 200 g of fresh caciocavallo cheese
- ✓ 1 kg of ripe tomatoes
- ✓ Dried or fresh oregano, to taste
- ✓ Extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle
- ✓ Salt, to taste
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
📊 Nutritional Information
Dive into the rich aromas and flavours of Sicily with this Agrigento-style pizza, a dish that tells the story of its namesake town through juicy tomatoes, aromatic caciocavallo cheese, and fresh oregano, all resting on a crisp, golden base.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Preheat your oven to 220°C and position the rack in the middle.
- 2
Roll out the bread dough on a floured surface and place it into an oiled baking tray.
- 3
Thinly slice the tomatoes and caciocavallo cheese.
- 4
Arrange the tomato slices over the base, leaving about a 1 cm border around the edges.
- 5
Season with salt, pepper, and oregano to your liking.
- 6
Top with the caciocavallo slices and generously drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- 7
Bake for around 30 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is lightly browned.
- 8
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For an extra flavour boost, add salted anchovies or the distinctive black Nocellara olives, which lend a lovely savoury note.
- •
If you prefer a stronger taste, swap the fresh caciocavallo for a more mature version or add a pinch of chilli for a gentle kick.
- •
Using a baking stone can help achieve a beautifully crisp base, just like in traditional Sicilian pizzerias.
- •
The star ingredient is the caciocavallo cheese, which brings creaminess and character to the dish.
- •
For a vegetarian twist, keep the base ingredients and add seasonal grilled vegetables like aubergines and courgettes.
- •
To enhance the umami, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil over the pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven, ideally from a local producer.
- •
For a gluten-free option, use a base made from alternative flours such as rice or maize, while preserving the original flavour.
- •
The secret to this pizza lies in the simplicity of its ingredients and the slow baking that allows the flavours to meld beautifully.
📦 Storage
- • Leave the pizza covered with a clean cloth at room temperature for a few hours to keep its freshness.
- • To store for longer, wrap it in cling film or place it in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for 2-3 days.
- • For extended storage, portion it up and freeze; reheat in the oven to restore that lovely crispness.
🍷 Pairing
Pair this Agrigento-style pizza with a robust Sicilian Nero d’Avola, whose rich character complements the sharpness of the caciocavallo and the sweetness of the tomatoes. Alternatively, a light Frappato or a Cerasuolo di Vittoria offers a fresh, fruity contrast. If you fancy something from further afield, a Tuscan Chianti Classico or a French Pinot Noir are excellent choices to balance the dish’s richness.
Making this Agrigento-style pizza is like bringing a slice of Sicily right into your kitchen — simple, vibrant flavours that tell a story of tradition and passion. I warmly encourage you to give it a go at home and share the joy of this authentic dish with your loved ones. It’s the perfect recipe to gather around the table and celebrate good food and great company.
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