Go Back Email Link

panzerotti pugliesi

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 medium panzerotti
Author Claudia Rinaldi | Gourmet Project

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 17.5 oz 00 flour 500 gr
  • 1 cube fresh baker's yeast 0.9 oz - 25 gr
  • 3.5 oz milk 100 ml – room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 oz extra virgin olive oil 60 gr
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Filling & frying:

  • 1 cup tomato passata puree
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 mozzarella
  • 3.5 oz ham (or prosciutto cotto) 100 gr - optional
  • 2 cups vegetable frying oil

Instructions

  1. Dissolve the yeast in the milk, add the sugar and mix well. After nearly five minutes, you should see a little bubbling, even just on the sides: this means the yeast is active. If not, start all over again.

  2. In a mixer or bowl, mix all the ingredients, including the milk-yeast mixture. Work with your hands or dough hook until a ball forms. Add a few teaspoons of water if necessary, but gradually.
  3. After a ball has formed, knead ten more minutes with the mixer, or twenty with your hands: you are looking for a very elastic and smooth dough.

  4. Sprinkle some flour on the bottom of a bowl, place the ball, cover it with a damp cloth and let rise for 2 hours in a warm spot (next to the radiator or inside the oven - light on).

  5. Season the tomato puree with salt and oil. Julienne the ham and finely dice the mozzarella.
  6. Once the dough has raised, divide it in twelve pieces and form 3 inches (6-7 cm) diameter balls.

  7. Roll them out (0.25 inches – 0.5 cm height) into a round-ish shape. You can cut out the dough with a circular cutter (or a mug).

  8. Place a teaspoon of tomato sauce, 2-3 cubes of mozzarella and ½ teaspoon of ham in the center of each circle.

  9. Lightly brush some water over the perimeter edges and fold the dough into a crescent shape. Press with your fingertips to seal.

  10. Heat a couple of cups of frying oil (I used a wok) and fry the panzerotti less than a minute per side, until lightly golden brown. Serve hot.