Adventures with Pizza

If you thought an American barbecue was fun, just wait until you get invited to your first authentic Italian pizza party!  On Saturday the 22^nd 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!!