Pizza Rustica
This is a traditional Italian Easter Pie, which features a flaky crust and is made from an assortment of cured meats and cheeses. We could not wait to eat this Easter morning.
The creaminess of the ricotta cheese is a nice backdrop to the saltiness of the meats and cheeses. It’s the perfect pairing. Nonna used ham and salami but most recipes call for soppressata, prosciutto or even dried sausage. You can mix it up and try it with your favorite meats. To save time you can even try it with your favorite ready-made crust. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Ingredients
Filling
10 ozs whole milk ricotta cheese
¼ lb sliced ham
¼ lb sliced genoa salami
¼ lb reggiano parmigiano cheese
¼ lb provolone cheese
1/3 lb fresh mozzarella cheese
3 eggs
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Ingredients: Pie Crust
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
½ cup cold water
1 egg yolk
Steps: pie crust
- In a large bowl mix the flour and salt together.
- Add the butter and shortening to the bowl, with a fork press the butter and shortening into the flour. Working the mixture until the butter and shortening are small pieces.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to the mixture, until dough becomes a ball. Do not over work the dough.
- On a clean dry surface, sprinkle flour, cut the ball into 2 equal parts and place the ball of dough on the flour and roll out one ball at a time.
- Gently line the bottom of a 9 inch pie pan with the rolled dough. The second rolled dough will be used later for the top layer.
Steps: For Filling
Preheat oven 350f
- Cut up the meats into small bite size pieces
- Cut up the cheeses into small bite size pieces
- Beat the eggs
- In a large bowl, add the ricotta cheese, the meats, the cheeses, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix well.
Steps: Assemble the pie
1.Pour mixture into the pie crust.
- Gently cover the mixture with the rolled dough to form the top of the pie.
- Press the sides down with a fork and cut slits in the top of the pie crust for venting.
- Brush the yolk of one egg on the top of the pie crust.
- Bake for 1-hour 350f
