If you thought an American barbecue was fun, just wait
until you get invited to your first authentic Italian pizza party! On Saturday the 22nd our good
neighbor Maurizio invited Angie, Michael and I to his annual pizza and pool party,
held here at our home at Casa la Vite. Every year his party is well attended by
his many friends and neighbors. Maurizio
makes schiacciata (ski-CHOT-a), a
flat bread made from pizza dough, and several types of pizza, all of it from
scratch, right down to making his own dough.
Maurizio (left), Lorenzo (center), and our friend and landlady Donatella
join forces in making a huge pile of dough in a big tub.
Many hands are required when it comes to making the
dough! Once made it has to sit a couple of hours, then kneaded again and allowed to rise a couple more hours before it can be used.
Once the dough is ready, Lorenzo shows off his style shaping
the schiacciata and topping it with olive oil and salt.
Then it is slid into the oven. This is the heart of the action – Maurizio has
a traditional, brick lined, wood fired forno
(oven). His custom made forno is built
outside, right onto the front of his apartment and can cook several schiacciatas
or pizzas at one time.
Angie and Donatella supervise the inspection of the schiacciatas
before they are delivered to the guests.
Once the first batch of schiacciatas is ready, Maurizio
issues the call to come and get it.
Although the first schiacciata is quickly cut apart and eaten
plain, Maurizio deftly slices the next batch of loaves open lengthwise, making
giant sandwiches which are filled with mortadella or prosciutto (Italian hams). These are then cut into small sandwiches and
stacked up for the guests.
At long last it is time for the pizza. Our friend and landlord Andrea gets into the
action and helps out with the cooking.
Several types of pizzas are made; traditional Margherita pizzas which are
pomodoro (tomato) sauce with mozzarella
cheese, Prosciutto pizzas (Margherita with prosciutto), and Napoli (made with anchovies
and capers). They all taste great!!
When an Italian man throws a good pizza party, his friends know how to show their appreciation!!