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Grandma’s Pizza Rustica

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Grandma’s Pizza Rustica

Written by Frank Isganitis

Saturday, 03 March 2007

Feature Recipe
Grandma’s Pizza Rustica - Recipe

This quiche-like pork and cheese pie may be served while still warm, or at room temperature, but not piping hot.

Servings: 6-8

The sweet egg pastry (pasta frolla):
2 cups flour
2 egg yolks
A tiny pinch salt
½ cup butter cut into small pieces
3 tbsp ice water
2 tbsp granulated sugar

Frank Isganitis, The LimeRock Inn, Rockland Maine, The Historic Inns of Rockland, ME

Frank Isganitis, Rockland, ME

Memories with Grandma’s Pizza Rustica

With marble- topped tables and hand-made linens, my grandma’s house was a little slice of Italy, and as often as possible, my extended family was beckoned for dinner… but this was no ordinary dinner. I used to enjoy inviting my non-Italian friends so I could watch Grandma guilt them into eating so much food they thought they would explode. For her, it was a way of life. She was the center of attention by preparing the greatest meal of anyone’s life, but she was humble; when we complimented her, she would always say the food was only “okay” or she would grumble that something didn’t turn out the way she wanted. Trust me. She was an expert cook, and everything was always delicious.

Pizza Rustica is just about my favorite of Grandma’s dishes. If you haven’t already peeked, take a look at the recipe. It’s a sweet pastry (pasta frolla) filled with ricotta, mozzarella and pecorino Romano cheese (no parmagiano reggiano for my grandma), Italian and American ham, prosciutto and mortadella… tutti buoni Italiano. “Everything good Italian,” as my grandma would say.
I could ramble on and on about growing up in this special world, but that would keep you from enjoying this great dish. So put down the magazine, and get cooking!

–Frank Isganitis, The LimeRock Inn, Rockland, ME

The LimeRock Inn’s savory Pizza Rustica is famous
on Rockland, ME’s Parade of Pies each January
See "Inn Decadence" for more on the Inn to Inn Pie Tour

PHOTOGRAPHY: PJ WALTER