Calzone

Calzone, an Italian specialty, is a folded pizza filled with delicious ingredients. This recipe came about by accident when part of a pizza folded onto itself while baking, resulting in a homemade calzone. While it is possible to fill a calzone with various pizza toppings, it is recommended to include a combination of cheese and other flavorful ingredients for the best results. The filling should be substantial and relatively dry to prevent the dough from becoming soggy. In this recipe, we’ll guide you through making the pizza dough, preparing the filling, and folding the calzones.

MAKES: 2 calzones (4 main-dish servings)

TIME: About 1 hour with premade dough

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 recipe Pizza Dough, mixed and risen
• All-purpose flour for stretching or rolling the dough
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup crumbled cooked Italian sausage or chopped ham or finely chopped cooked spinach or other greens, like chard or broccoli raab, squeezed dry
• 1 cup chopped or grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Knead the pizza dough lightly and divide it into 2 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle a little more flour over the dough balls and cover them with plastic wrap or a towel. Allow them to rest for 20 minutes. If the ricotta cheese is very moist, drain it in a fine-meshed strainer for approximately 10 minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine the crumbled sausage, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Taste the filling and add salt and pepper as necessary.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
4. Roll or lightly press each dough ball into a flat round shape, using additional flour on the work surface and the dough as needed. Allow the rounds to rest for a few minutes, which will help relax the dough and make it easier to roll out. Roll or pat the dough into an 8 to 10-inch round shape on a floured pizza peel or a lightly oiled baking sheet.
5. Place half of the filling in the middle of each dough round. Moisten the edges of the dough with a little water. Fold one edge over onto the other and press it closed with your fingertips, sealing the calzone.Bake the calzones on a baking sheet or directly on a baking stone for 30 to 40 minutes, or until they become nicely browned.
6. Serve the calzones hot or warm. They can be enjoyed as is or served with Fresh Tomato Sauce or any other tomato sauce for dipping or topping.

Indulge in the delightful flavors of homemade calzones. These folded pizzas are filled with a combination of ricotta cheese, savory sausage or other fillings, and a variety of cheeses. The calzones are baked until golden brown, resulting in a deliciously crisp outer crust. Enjoy them hot or warm, as they are or accompanied by a flavorful tomato sauce for dipping or topping. Whether serving them as a main dish or an appetizer, these homemade calzones are sure to impress your family and friends. Try experimenting with different fillings and customize them to your liking. Savor every bite of these delightful Italian treats.