Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Sicilian Lamb Impanata: A Hearty Pie Filled with Tradition
A rustic Sicilian pie of slow-cooked lamb wrapped in soft bread dough - rich, aromatic and steeped in the flavours of eastern Sicily.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 800 g mutton (or lamb shoulder if preferred)
- ✓ 500 g Sicilian focaccia dough or bread dough
- ✓ 100 g fresh parsley
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ Extra-virgin olive oil
- ✓ Salt
- ✓ Freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
The impanata is one of eastern Sicily’s most evocative dishes - a generous, hand-crafted pie that wraps tender meat in a warm, comforting shell of bread dough. This mutton version hails from the countryside around Siracusa, where families have been preparing it for generations, especially on Sundays and festive occasions.
There is a beautiful simplicity to its ingredients: slow-cooked meat, garlic, parsley and a good drizzle of olive oil, all sealed inside a rustic focaccia dough. As it bakes, the filling perfumes the kitchen with rich, aromatic notes that speak of traditional Sicilian hearth cooking.
Served hot and shared around a table, impanata is more than a dish - it is hospitality, memory and celebration baked into every slice.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Soak the mutton in a mixture of water and vinegar for at least 1 hour to soften and enhance its flavour.
- 2
Sauté the meat with garlic, salt and pepper in a pan to deepen its aroma.
- 3
Spread the focaccia dough in a lightly oiled baking tray.
- 4
Add a layer of meat over the dough and scatter with chopped parsley and garlic.
- 5
Continue alternating layers of meat and seasoning until everything is used.
- 6
Fold the dough over the filling to seal the impanata and bake in a preheated oven at 225°C.
- 7
Let rest briefly once baked, then serve warm.
💡 Tips and Variations
Swap the mutton for lamb shoulder if you prefer a gentler, sweeter flavour. A sprinkle of Sicilian pecorino over the meat before sealing adds a lovely savoury kick.
📦 Storage
- • Allow the impanata to cool completely at room temperature before storing.
- • Keep in an airtight container and refrigerate to maintain freshness.
- • For long-term storage, wrap tightly in cling film, then freeze.
🍷 Pairing
Enjoy with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria - its fresh, fruity character lifts the richness of the dish beautifully.
Thank you for exploring this traditional Sicilian treasure. May this hearty impanata bring warmth, flavour and a touch of Sicilian spirit to your table. Buon appetito!
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