Pizza Rustica

Name: Pizza Rustica
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes Two 7" x 11" Pies
Ingredients: 1 1 ⁄ 2 lb. (3 cups) ricotta; 3 ⁄ 4 lb. prosciutto, cut into 1⁄4" cubes; 1 basket cheese (about 14 oz.), cut into 1⁄4" cubes; 1 ⁄ 2 lb. boiled ham, cut into 1⁄4" cubes; 1 ⁄ 2 lb. mozzarella, coarsely grated; 1 ⁄ 4 lb. Abruzzese sweet sausage, cut into 1⁄4" cubes; 1 ⁄ 4 lb. soppressata, cut into 1⁄4" cubes; 1 ⁄ 4 lb. pecorino romano, coarsely grated; 1 ⁄ 4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1 ⁄ 8 lb. provolone, coarsely grated (2⁄3 cup); Freshly ground black pepper; 10 eggs; 6 cups flour; Pinch of salt; 3 ⁄ 4 lb. cold butter, cut into large pieces; 9 eggs

The ultimate deep-dish pie.

Serves
makes Two 7" x 11" Pies

By John Vassallo

Published on January 28, 2008

This deep dish pizza pie is filled with five kinds of cheese, an abundance of eggs, and a miniature deli of cold cuts. This recipe is an adaptation of the John Vassallo shared with us. He serves the pizza cold.

Ingredients

For the Filling

1 ¹⁄₂ lb. (3 cups) ricotta
³⁄₄ lb. prosciutto, cut into 1⁄4" cubes
1 basket cheese (about 14 oz.), cut into 1⁄4" cubes
¹⁄₂ lb. boiled ham, cut into 1⁄4" cubes
¹⁄₂ lb. mozzarella, coarsely grated
¹⁄₄ lb. Abruzzese sweet sausage, cut into 1⁄4" cubes
¹⁄₄ lb. soppressata, cut into 1⁄4" cubes
¹⁄₄ lb. pecorino romano, coarsely grated
¹⁄₄ cup chopped fresh parsley
¹⁄₈ lb. provolone, coarsely grated (2⁄3 cup)
Freshly ground black pepper
10 eggs

For the Crust

6 cups flour
Pinch of salt
³⁄₄ lb. cold butter, cut into large pieces
9 eggs

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Instructions

Step 1

For the filling: Preheat oven to 400°. Combine ricotta, prosciutto, basket cheese, ham, mozzarella, sausage, soppressata, romano, parsley, provolone, and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Add eggs, a few at a time, stirring after each addition until combined. Set aside.

Step 2

For the crust: Briefly pulse flour and salt in a food processor to combine. While pulsing, add butter; process until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 1 minute. Pulse in 8 of the eggs, a few at a time, until a soft dough forms, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly to form a ball. Divide dough evenly into 4 balls and cover with plastic wrap. Working with 1 ball at a time, roll each into a 10" × 14" rectangle.

Step 3

Line the bottoms of two 7" × 11" baking dishes with 2 of the rectangles. Divide filling evenly between crusts, then top each with the remaining dough sheets. Crimp edges of crusts together. Poke large holes in top crusts with a fork. Bake pies, with a sheet tray set on the rack below, for 15 minutes. Lower oven to 375° and bake for 30 minutes more. Lower oven to 350° and bake for 30 minutes more. Lightly beat remaining egg and brush onto crusts. Bake until pies are golden and shiny, about 20 minutes more. Let pies cool completely on a rack, cover, and refrigerate. Serve cold.