Traditional Sfincione Recipe [Authentic Sicilian Pizza]

  • by Nonna Box December 7, 2019
  • |
  • Last Updated on January 5, 2021
Sfincione recipe - Sicilian pizza

Pizza is a widespread food in cuisines across the world. However, in every country, every region and even in every town, what “pizza” means may vary.

One area may prefer a ticker crust while other opts for thinner. Some places put cheese on before sauce, and others might skip sauce all together.

However, if you are looking for an authentic Sicilian Pizza, then you are looking for Sfincione. Let’s take a look at this delicious, specialty pizza.

History of Sfincione

Various kinds of rustic breads, loaded with topping and typically a tomato-based sauce, were common in Italy out of a need to prepare long-lasting foods that were easy to take from home.

Sicilian pizza was developed to fill the need (and the bellies) of workers for a meal that would fuel them throughout the day. Sfincione started in just such a way.

It was inexpensive, easy to make and would hold up well all day long. However, Sfincione, as it is known today, was initially prepared at Christmas time in the Palermo area. It became widely popular as a pizza eaten at particular times of the year, including New Years and for the Feast of San Giovanni.

Now, the pizza is made year-round and can be purchased from almost any vendor, especially in the Alberghiera district, where you may see people selling sfincione on three-wheel motorcycles!

The name sfincione derives from the Latin word spongia, which means sponge. It got this name thanks to the spongy, soft consistency of the dough.

However, many people may argue that the name stems from the Arabic word “sfang” which means a pancake sweetened with honey.

Either way, sfincione is both spongy and sweet (however, now sweetened mostly with sugar rather than honey)!

What is Sfincione?

Breadcrumbs are sprinkled over the surface to make a crispy to layer to top off the pizza

You may still be wondering what is sfincione, and we are here to answer!

Essentially, it is a fluffy, light, rectangular dough topped with onions, tomatoes, anchovies, oregano and a hard Sicilian sheep’s milk cheese.

Breadcrumbs are sprinkled over the surface to make a crispy to layer to top off the pizza.

This combination of ingredients has remained standard and almost required of sfincione and make the pizza truly authentic.

Making the Dough

The dough for this authentic Sicilian pizza may vary slightly depending on the sfincione recipe you use.

However, the dough is always sweetened with sugar or honey and leavened with yeast.

Since the dough does need to rise, it can take some time to prepare. It will not take longer than any other pizza recipe, so do not be scared! You can opt to use a prepared pizza dough but it is much more fun to make your own!

The yeast is mixed with the water and sweetener, then left to bubble which is an indication that the yeast was activated. Then, the flour and salt are blended in and the dough is kneaded well, until nice and smooth.

The dough is placed in a bowl, covered and left to rise for three hours, allowing it to double in size and achieve that “spongy” texture that sfincione is named for!

Once the dough is prepared, it is pressed into a rimmed sheet tray. The dough should still be about an inch thick in order to achieve that chewy, fluffy pizza crust. The dough is then ready for the toppings!

Sfincione Toppings

hard sheep's milk cheese grated over the pizza

The toppings you use on the pizza should be high quality and carefully chosen in order to make the dish perfect.

For example, the type of tomatoes you choose to use in the sauce can alter the taste dramatically.

A tomato that is too acidic will taste tart and one that is too sweet may overpower the savory flavors of the sfincione. If possible, use San Marzano tomatoes which are a perfect sauce tomato.

Look for a hard sheep’s milk cheese that you can grate over the pizza.

This is key to making your sfincione authentic. If you cannot find one in your area, a pecorino cheese will do just fine and is quite common in sfincione in the US. Soft goat cheese can also be used and will give you a nice strong taste.

Anchovy slices are traditionally laid sporadically across the dough but you may choose to blend them into the sauce or chop them finely to distribute them more evenly.

 

If you are looking for the true, Sicilian sfincione, keep the filets whole and place them around the pizza!

The pizza bakes quite quickly and will be ready to eat in just 15 minutes so be sure you are ready too- this dish is best enjoyed hot!

Stick with tradition and enjoy this Sicilian pizza at your next New Years’ Eve celebration or any day you are craving something truly Italian! Enjoy.

Fluffy, light, Sfincione topped with onions, tomatoes, anchovies, oregano and a hard Sicilian sheep's milk cheese

Sicilian Pizza (Sfincione)

If you are looking for an authentic Sicilian Pizza, then you are looking for Lo Sfincione. Let's take a look at this delicious, specialty pizza.
4.25 from 12 votes
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Course: Pizza
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 468kcal
Author: Nonna Box

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups flour
  • 2 ¼ tsp dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp honey or sugar
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 red onions sliced
  • 42 oz San Marzano tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 8 anchovy filets
  • ½ pound caciocavallo
  • 1 Tbsp oregano
  • 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs

Instructions

  • Make the dough by combining the yeast, water, and sugar in a large bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  • Add the flour and salt and knead until a smooth dough forms.
  • Place the dough in a large bowl, cover, and set aside to rise for three hours.
  • While the dough is rising, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté the onions until soft, about 5-8 minutes. Set half the onions aside to use as toppings and keep the remaining onions in the pan.
  • Add the tomatoes and garlic to the pan and cook for about 20 minutes. Smash the tomatoes with a spatula to make into a thick sauce. Add the oregano and remove it from the heat to cool.
  • Once the dough is ready, press it into a rimmed sheet tray that has been greased with olive oil.
  • Place the anchovy fillets over the dough then top the dough with the cooked onions.
  • Coat the pizza with the sauce and then sprinkle on the grated cheese.
  • Add the breadcrumbs over the entire surface of the pizza then place it in a preheated 450 degrees F oven.
  • Bake for 15 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden and the dough has risen. Slice and enjoy!
Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 925mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 257IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 7mg
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