Fried Pizza: History, Information, Interesting Facts

The history of Neapolitan fried pizza.

The method of frying to cook food has thousands of years of history: it was well known to both the ancient Egyptians and the Romans. It’s therefore not surprising that specialties similar to fried pizza can be found all over the world and especially in Italy. That said, it’s undeniable that the Neapolitan fried pizza has a particular charm, the result of its close connection with the ‘City of the Sun’.

The great success of this delight for the palate began after World War II when, due to the high cost of the ingredients and the lack of wood-burning ovens (mostly destroyed by bombing), people were forced to find a valid alternative to the ‘classic’ pizza. An alternative that had to be just as tasty and, at the same time, very cheap.
So It was that plebeian women, in their houses located at street level (the ‘Bassi’ or ‘Vasci’), began to prepare a simple dough, made with flour, water, oil, yeast and salt. Once grown, portions of this dough were cooked in boiling oil and sold to passers-by using stalls placed on the sides of the ‘vicoli’ (*1).

Different types of fried pizza.

In Naples there are many specialties closely related to the ‘classic’ fried pizza. Here follows a brief description of each of them: from the simplest one, the ‘zeppola’, to the most complex, the ‘calzone’:

‘Zeppola’
‘Zeppola’, also known as ‘pasta cresciuta’, is the simplest type of fried pizza. It’s quite small and is prepared by frying for a short time a little piece of dough, made with flour, water and yeast. The only seasoning is salt. Together with the ‘crocchè’, it’s one of the most classic Neapolitan street foods.

Fried pizza
The classic fried pizza is just a larger version of a zeppola. They share the same ingredients. Its dough is usually flattened by hand before frying.
Once again, the only seasoning is salt.

‘Montanara’
‘Montanara’ is much more elaborate than the classic fried pizza. The main differences are two: the first is that it’s seasoned with tomato, provola cheese, parmesan and basil. The second consists of a slightly different cooking procedure: once its dough is fried, its cooking continues in the oven.

Fried ‘calzone’
The stuffed fried pizza is also known as ‘calzone fritto’ (fried ‘calzone’).
Its dough is flattened by hand, garnished and folded. This sort of ‘pouch’ (its dimensions may vary), is then fried and served.
The most typical Neapolitan fried calzone is filled with just ricotta cheese and seasoned with black pepper.

Fried pizza, Naples and Vittorio De Sica.

The most traditional Neapolitan fried pizza is prepared with just a few, simple ingredients: together, they release an incredible flavor that goes perfectly with the joyful mood of the city.

This is one of those (not uncommon) cases in which food reflects the nature of its place of origin, acquiring many of its characteristics: eating a typical specialty, it’s possible to get in touch with the local traditions, starting to understand them.

So, it was probably not by chance that Vittorio De Sica, looking for something to describe effectively his beloved Naples, gave so much importance to fried pizza in one of his greatest movies that, not by chance, is called “The Gold of Naples’. The unforgettable scene in which a young and beautiful ‘pizzaiola’, performed by Sophia Loren, sells it to passing people, is one of the most famous in Italian film history.
With the help of such a masterpiece and thanks to the overwhelming taste of this specialty, it’s really possible to better understand the spirit of Naples, appreciating some very interesting details.

Sophia’s fried pizzas.

There are no doubts that Sophia Loren (*1) is one of the most famous Italian actresses in the world. Her family is originally from Pozzuoli, a fishing village just outside the city on Naples. So it’s probably not a coincidence that the great director Vittorio De Sica choose her to perform the attractive ‘pizzaiola’ in his movie ‘The Gold of Naples’ (‘L’Oro di Napoli’). She is perfect in this role, showing to the world the bright and joyous nature of Neapolitan women.
In the episode ‘pizzas on credit’ (‘pizze a credito’), she plays as Donna Sofia, working with her husband Rosario in a very small ‘friggitoria’ (*2) in the Old Town of Naples. She is so beautiful that every man secretly loves her: this makes Rosario very jealous. One day, the accidental loss of her precious engagement ring gives way to a series of paradoxical situations, since the jewel may have fallen in the dough of one of the pizzas already sold.

Watching this movie episode it becomes clear how good is De Sica to explain what it means to be a Neapolitan.

Notes:
*1: Her true name is Sofia Villani Scicolone.
*2: It’s a particular kind of pizzeria, selling mainly fried food.

The Gold of Naples.

“In this movie, you will see Naples and meet its people. The narrow alleys of this city hide so many stories: we are going to tell just a few. Through them, you will understand the love for life, the patience, the neverending hope: the true Gold of Naples.”

These words introduce the audience to the movie ‘The Gold of Naples’, directed by Vittorio Sica in 1954. He put so much passion in this work that it can be considered his tribute to the city. A city where he regretted not to be born and that he probably loved even more than a Neapolitan.
The film is entirely shot in black and white: it’s no coincidence. De Sica wanted to give to the spectators an image as true as possible. Since colors could be confusing, he replaced them with the acting of the best movie stars of his time (*1), achieving a vivid and realistic representation. Its six episodes include ironic and tragic moments and are very effective in showing the many aspects of Naples and its people.

Vittorio De Sica, a life of great passions.

Vittorio De Sica is considered one of the best Italian directors of all times, but in truth he was much more than that: a great all-round artist.

Naples, the ‘city of the sun’, is the county seat of the Italian region of Campania. Its origins date back to the 8th Century BC.

THE MOST TRADITIONAL FRIGGITORIA

It’s quite difficult to determine which is the most ancient friggitoria in Naples. Until we find it out, please refer to the following list including some of the most traditional places where you can savor fried pizza prepared according to the original recipe:

Pizzeria De’ Figliole
Via Giudecca Vecchia, 39, 80139 Napoli;
Tel. +39 081 286721

Pizza Fritta da Fernanda
Via Speranzella, 180, 80134 Naples;
La Masardona
Via Giulio Cesare Capaccio, 27, 80142 Naples;

Here follow a video showing how to make a ‘Calzone’, the stuffed Neapolitan fried pizza:

Its dough is made with the same of a normal pizza:

• Water;
• Flour;
• Yeast;
• Extra virgin olive oil;
• Salt;

There are many types of filling:
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Songs by Vittorio De Sica.

A selection of songs by Vittorio De Sica are most probably the best choice to accompany the reading of this article:

Note: join Spotify and listen to the full song.

“Eat today and pay in eight days” (“Mangiate oggi e pagate fra otto giorni”): this is exactly what, in the movie ‘The Gold of Naples’, Donna Sofia and her husband Rosario never stop to repeat to lure new customers.
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What to drink with a delicious fried pizza?
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A good choice is a red wine, quite fresh, quite tannic, medium warm and medium sparkling. For example, a Gragnano or a ‘Lambrusco di Sorbara’.
The acidity and the effervescence balance the sweet tendency of the dough.
The tannicity and the alcohol balance the greasiness of the frying.