Pizza Rustica

Contributed by Alfonso Iaccarino and Livia Iaccarino

SERVINGS: 8 TO 10

•MAKE-AHEAD

With its rich, savory filling and sweet pastry, this peasant dish uses the best of local ingredients: ricotta, made from rich cow's milk; spicy salami, which every farmer prepares himself; and basil, a staple of the family garden.

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DOUGH

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

FILLING

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg white, beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for glazing
1/2 pound ricotta cheese
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
5 ounces spicy salami, cut into 1/3-inch dice
3 large egg yolks
1/2 cup coarsely chopped basil

Pour the flour onto a work surface and make a well in the center. Add the sugar, eggs, egg yolks and oil to the well and blend together with a fork. Gradually incorporate the flour into the well until a dough forms. Gently knead the dough until smooth, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
Roll out two-thirds of the dough between 2 sheets of parchment or wax paper to a 14-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the pastry to a 9-inch springform pan; it should reach about two-thirds of the way up the side of the pan. Roll out the remaining third of the dough between 2 sheets of parchment to a 9-inch round about 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate the dough until chilled.
Preheat the oven to 350°. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salami and egg yolks. Stir in the basil and salt. Spread the filling evenly in the pastry-lined pan. Brush the rim of the dough with some of the egg glaze and set the dough round on top; press the edge down firmly to seal and brush the top evenly with more egg glaze.
Set the springform pan on a baking sheet and bake in the center of the oven for about 1 hour, or until the crust is golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack for 15 minutes.
Remove the side of the pan and let the pizza cool completely. Using a metal spatula, carefully transfer the pizza to a plate. Cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.

Make Ahead The baked pizza can be refrigerated overnight. Rewarm in a 350° oven for about 30 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.

Pizza Rustica

DOUGH

FILLING

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