From Palermo to your plate: how Sicilian Pizza became one of the most iconic styles in the world
Sicilian pizza is made of four main components: dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings. Here’s an elaboration for each of them:
The dough is typically made with flour, water, yeast, salt, and olive oil. Longer fermentation will give it some extra flavor! It’s also a bit softer than other pizzas you may have tried.
The sauce is usually made of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and herbs like oregano and basil. While it may seem simple, fresh ingredients make all the difference!
The cheese may vary across different regions, but traditional Sicilian pizza uses a sharp grated cheese known as caciocavallo. Most traditional Sicilian pizzas use minimal cheese.
The toppings usually include anchovies, onions, olives, and herbs. This variation is known as Sfincione, and it is savory and delicious!
Why is Sicilian pizza different from Neapolitan pizza?
Sicilian pizza has a thick and airy crust, which can be likened to a spongy texture. The crispy outside and chewy interior is different from thinner pizzas that you may have tried before. In addition, its rectangular shape makes it instantly recognizable! While you may have heard of stone-fired pizza or seen steel surfaces to bake pizzas in, Sicilian pizzas are usually baked in a pan.
In addition, Sicilian pizza typically puts the sauce on last in order to avoid sogginess—whereas many American pizzas tend to put toppings on last. This results in a better flavor balance, and goes to show the deep traditional influence that Sicilian pizza has.
This varies from Neapolitan pizza, which is usually round and tends to have a thinner crust with charred edges. While Sicilian pizza is baked at a lower temperature for a longer time, Neapolitan pizza is usually baked in a wood-fired oven at extremely high temperatures.
You’ve likely seen many Sicilian influences in Americanized versions of Sicilian pizza, but who knew you could make it as authentic as possible at home? Read on for the recipe.
Is Sicilian pizza easy to make at home?
While some Sicilian pizza ingredients might be hard to find in various parts of the world, here’s a recipe that allows you to make it as authentic and delicious as possible. Feel free to use whatever alternatives you need!
Ingredients
Dough
4 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups warm water
2¼ tsp active dry yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
1½ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
Sauce
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp red pepper flakes
Toppings
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated cheese (Pecorino Romano or Parmesan are great alternatives to caciocavallo)
1 chopped onion
1 tsp dried oregano
½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil to drizzle
Anchovies
Olives
Instructions
Preparing the dough
Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit until foamy (5-10 minutes).
In another bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil and mix until dough forms.
Knead dough for 8-10 minutes.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1.5 to 2 hours (should be doubled in size).
Preparing the sauce
Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Add garlic.
Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Saute onions separately and mix into the sauce.
Make the pizza
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Grease a large rectangular baking pan with olive oil.
Stretch dough to fit. Let dough rest in the pan for 15 minutes.
Layer cheese on dough. Add the sauce, then sprinkle with toppings.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden-brown.
Let cool before slicing into squares.
Enjoy!
Where can I eat Sicilian pizza in Sicily?
Now that you know a bit about what Sicilian pizza might look like, here are some tips to find delicious Sfincione in Sicily!
Listed below are a few places that might have your next exception meal, beyond your typical restaurant:
Local bakeries
Street vendors
Markets
Note that Sicilian pizza is typically sold by weight, not by the slice. There may also be regional variations, which might give you a fresh perspective each time. Keep an open mind and enjoy your travels!
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