Sicily is a beautiful island in Italy surrounded by small islands with active volcanoes, including Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. Lush mountain regions characterize the island of Sicily,
where orange orchards and vineyards are everywhere. In addition to breathtaking scenery, picturesque villages and great wines, Sicily is known for its sumptuous Italian cuisine, including Sicilian pizza.
Sicilian pizza originated in Palmero, Italy where it is still a favorite of the local residents. Known as Sfincione (or Sfinciuni in Sicilian language) the Sicilian pizza is square instead of round like the typical Neapolitan pizza.
It has twice the amount of dough and more cheese. In Italy, the authentic recipe calls for strong Sicilian cheeses like pecorino or caciocavallo instead of a mild mozzarella. The standard toppings are bits of tomato, herbs, onions, and
often endive and anchovies. Fresh Parmesan is sometimes sprinkled on top for the finishing touch. Toppings are minimal and lighter than the typical American pizza that focuses on mounds of different toppings including a variety of meats.
An authentic Sicilian pizza really focuses more on the bread than the toppings. In Italy, the crust is often made of focaccia, a popular Italian flat bread. Focaccia is a made from a yeast dough which rises to twice the depth of regular
dough. The top is brushed with olive oil and often sprinkled with herbs and sundried tomatoes then baked in a wood-fired oven. Italian bakeries sell focaccia as a warm bread that is delicious eaten alone.
In the United States, a Sicilian pizza is often compared to a deep-dish pizza. Its shape is rectangular or square, with thick dough over an inch thick. It looks like a large square pie with mounds of crust, and it is usually served
in an aluminum pan. In certain areas of New York like Utica and Brooklyn where there is a large Italian-American population, the Sicilian pizza is still a favorite food. Pizzerias in these districts may come closer to making an authentic
Sicilian pizza, but still do not compare with the true Sicilian pizzas in Italy.
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