The Calzone pizza is undoubtedly one of the most refined Italian specialities you can find on the menu of any Italian restaurant. Its distinctive half-moon shape is widely recognised, and today it enjoys great popularity around the world. Like many other pizzas at our restaurant, the Calzone pizza has a unique history that is worth discovering, as it is closely linked to the roots of Italian and Neapolitan cuisine. Today, we will introduce you to the most fascinating curiosities about this type of Italian pizza, which is also one of the great delicacies to savour at our Italian restaurant Rossini in Barcelona.
Why Is This Italian Dish Called Calzone Pizza?
The word "calzone" is very similar to the Spanish word "calzón" (underpants), and it is no coincidence that it refers to the way nappies are folded for small children, resembling a folded crescent moon.
In some areas and regions of Italy, this term also translates to "big sock" because of its similar shape, enclosing various fillings such as meat, vegetables, and cheese. Although no further detailed studies on the "Calzone pizza" have been conducted, it is known that this delicacy became popular as Italian street food in many Italian cities. Today, there are many similar variants, such as the Stromboli.
The History of Calzone Pizza
As we explained in our previous post dedicated to our Italian pizzas, pizza was historically a very common dish among the lower classes of the city, gradually gaining popularity among higher social classes.
The origins of the Calzone pizza date back to the 19th century, a time when the industrial revolution and the working classes dominated Europe. The city of Apulia can be considered the birthplace of this Italian dish, as families and, more notably, street food vendors often used pizzas to experiment with different dish combinations.
Originally, the Calzone recipe came from combining two Margherita pizzas folded similarly to a sandwich with fillings such as cheese, cured meats, or tomato. Other accounts suggest it resulted from combining a focaccia with a Neapolitan pizza.
The main purpose of this dish was to allow the consumer to eat it conveniently while on their way to work or school, enjoying the full quality of its flavour.
The Grand Journey Beyond Europe
Much like the story of the Hawaiian pizza and the Diavola pizza, following Italian emigration between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Calzone pizza spread to various countries, continents, and the New World. This impact was particularly noticeable in America, where it has become a well-established dish in their typical cuisine.
Additionally, in different parts of the world, you can find dishes very similar to the Calzone pizza that draw inspiration from it, such as the Spanish empanada, the Bolivian salteña, the Greek spanakopita, and the English Cornish pasty.
Craving Authentic Traditional Italian Pizzas?
On the menu of our Rossini restaurant, you’ll find 14 different pizzas. Let yourself be seduced by their flavour and surprise your companions with the history and curiosities behind each pizza!