Types of Italian pizza – Piadina

Piadina is an express pizza. It is an ideal option for people who want to prepare this dish at home, but do not have time to knead the dough for a long time and wait for it to rise. In fact, piadina is more like a tortilla than a pizza. So it’s a far cry from the classic  of authentic Neapolitan pizza. It is a thin cake made of wheat flour with a filling served warm. It can be filled with virtually any filling, both in savoury and sweet versions. It is worth visiting pizzerias in Larnaca to try different types of this dish. The best pizza in Larnaca is on our menu.

Piadina and its origin

Piadina is a type of Italian bread similar to tortillas. It is also known as Piadina Romagnola, after the name of the region from which it originates – Romagna. Most likely, it owes its popularity to the Etruscans, a people living in the areas of today’s Tuscany and Lazio. Italians have always focused on simplicity in their dishes – especially the poorer classes ate dishes with few ingredients. Piadina is a cross between pita bread in the Middle East and tortillas in Mexico. Traditionally, it was made from flour, water, oil and salt. The dough was rolled out to the size of a plate and baked on a flat wire rack. At first, it was considered to be a poor man’s food – it was prepared quickly, it provided the family on days when yeast bread was not baked (this was prepared only once a week). Piadina is now a typical Italian street food and tastes a little different in each region. Despite the passage of time, it is still prepared in practically the same way – the exception is the replacement of terracotta plates with non-stick pans. Other Italian classics such as Neapolitan pizza are also worth trying. Piadina or Neapolitan pizza delivery is the perfect solution for people who want to enjoy the taste at home.

 

Characteristics of pizza

The piadina is folded like a sandwich. The one prepared on the coast of Italy has the largest diameter, and it is also very thin. The further inland you go, the smaller and thicker the pancakes are. The ingredients from which piadina is made also vary. Olive oil or milk make it lighter and crunchier, while the addition of lard gives it a softer texture and water makes it stiffer. The classic filling, in keeping with the tradition of the Romagna region, consists of soft, sticky squacquerone cheese, prosciutto shavings and a small handful of arugula. In various regions of the country, you can also find piadina with various types of cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables, as well as sweet creams, chocolate or jam. It is served in food trucks, cafes, restaurants and bars (as a late-night snack). Nowadays, piadinas are baked on frying pans or electric grills, in the past the aforementioned terracotta plates (teggia) placed on the fire were used. The booths where piadinas are sold are called piadineria. Pizzerias in Larnaca also serve other types of this popular dish, such as authentic Neapolitan pizza. The best pizza in Larnaca from our menu is a real treat for the taste buds.

 

Ingredients & Preparation

To prepare piadina, you can use ready-made pancakes – piadas, resembling tortillas. Tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella, dried oregano, salt, pepper, olive oil and your favorite toppings will also come in handy – it can be ham, salami, tuna, olives and many more. Scald the tomatoes with boiling water and peel them, cut and remove the cores, then cut into cubes, put them in a saucepan with a teaspoon of olive oil and chopped garlic. Mix everything together and bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper and oregano and cook for a while. The next step is to put the tomatoes on the piads and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Selected toppings are placed on top without exaggerating their number. Just put the whole thing in the oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is browned. After baking and taking the piadina out of the oven, you can decorate the pie with basil leaves. There are no big restrictions on ingredients here, as in some types of pizza, so everyone will find the best variant for themselves. Although the preparation of piadina is very simple, not everyone wants to prepare this type of dish on their own, but to use ready-made solutions. That’s when a pizzeria comes to the rescue, offering piadina or Neapolitan pizza delivery.

Piadina is very different from traditional pizzas such as Neapolitan, Roman or Sicilian pizza. It has a different form, consists of different additives and a slightly different origin. This is a great option for people who want to prepare a tasty dish at home, but don’t have much time. In addition, piadina can be filled with any dry or sweet ingredients, so it will appeal to practically everyone. It is also worth trying this dish in pizzerias using original recipes and high-quality ingredients.