Stromboli vs Calzone: What’s The Difference?
If you’re anything like me, then you may find yourself often getting lost in the sea of Italian cuisine. The options are seemingly endless and it can be difficult to differentiate between them all!
One common source of confusion is understanding the difference between stromboli and calzone. To help settle this debate once and for all, we’re diving into some Italian culinary history to demystify these two delectable dishes.
Join us as we explore the nuances that define a stromboli vs calzone — along with recipes for each classic recipe so you can make your own at home!
Contents
What Is Stromboli?
Stromboli is a traditional Italian dish that consists of dough, cheese, and a variety of toppings like meats or vegetables. The dish originated on the island of Stromboli off the coast of Sicily near Naples in Italy. It’s typically served as a calzone-style sandwich with extra ingredients tucked inside – creating a delicious package!
The most popular version known to Americans is the pizza stromboli. This version consists of pizza dough filled with various cheeses (usually mozzarella and Parmesan) and other fillings such as pepperoni, sausage, olives, mushrooms, ham, bell peppers etc., then enclosing them into a crescent-shaped roll before baking it until golden brown. The end result is an irresistible snack or entrée that has plenty of flavor to satisfy any craving!
But what makes Stromboli so unique is its origin story which starts when two immigrants from Abruzzo region in Italy settled down around World War II era on Stromboli Island near Sicily. During their stay there they developed an innovative way to make food using every available resource available at hand: scrap pieces of stale bread/ pizzas and leftover cheese/toppings from their daily meals combined together with oil and spices became their prized meal – ‘Sfincione’ (which means ‘thick slice’). This recipe was later transformed by Italians all over the world – making it bigger in size by adding more layers for filling along with additional ingredients leading up to what we know today as stromboli!
Thus this tasty treat has been around since then and still remains one an all-time favorite among many people who have tried this classic favorite at least once in their lifetime!
What Is Calzone?
Calzone is an Italian dish that’s essentially a folded pizza. It consists of a pizza dough shell filled with delicious ingredients such as cheese, tomato sauce, meats and vegetables. The dough is then sealed shut so that these tasty contents stay inside.
The basic recipe for calzone typically starts off with creating the dough using all-purpose flour, salt and oil or butter. Yeast is added to give the dough its distinct flavour and texture. Once all of the ingredients are combined, it’s kneaded before being left to rest in order to allow it time to rise before baking.
Calzones are typically formed by rolling out the flattened dough into an oval shape—almost like making a traditional pizza crust—before placing the fillings in one half and folding over the other side so they’re completely covered and sealed up tight. Then they’re baked until golden brown on top at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius).
So what makes calzone different from regular pizzas? For starters, calzones have more flavorful fillings because their contained within two layers of bread which keeps all of those flavors trapped inside when baked; meaning you get intense bursts of flavor when biting into them! Additionally, because no sauce is spread onto a calzone like you would on normal pizzas it has virtually no mess factor which can be helpful for when eating on-the-go or after work/school where one might not want any extra grease transferred onto their clothing or workspace equipment!
All said and done—calzones are definitely worth trying if you’ve never had one before; especially since there’s an endless range of combinations available depending on your tastes!
Stromboli vs Calzone: What are the differences?
Ahh, the great debate that’s been going on for centuries: Stromboli vs Calzone. While they both look like giant, closed-up sandwiches, there are several distinct differences between them.
Let’s start with what they have in common – Stromboli and Calzone are both made with pizza dough and stuffed with a variety of ingredients such as cheese and meats. The difference lies in their preparation – while a calzone is prepared by folding the dough over its fillings to create a half-moon shape, a stromboli is rolled up like an envelope or log rather than folded.
Another key distinction between the two is their cooking process. Unlike calzones which are typically fried or oven-fired quickly at high temperatures to achieve that golden crunchy crust we all love, strombolis take longer to cook because of their thicker layers which need more time for heat to penetrate through all the ingredients within it. This results in softer textures compared to calzones.
So now we know how they differ from each other, but how do you decide when it’s appropriate to get one or the other? Generally speaking, if you’re looking for something quick and easy that just melts in your mouth then go with a calzone – it takes less time to prepare than stromboli but you still get amazing flavor combinations out of it! However if you’re looking for something more substantial that packs full flavors then opt for a Stomboli – its texture will be slightly different due to its larger size giving off much more flavor explosions!
Ultimately, regardless of whether you choose Stombolis or Calzones –you really can’t go wrong either way as long as you top them off with some yummy marinara sauce!
Calzone | Stromboli | |
| Origin: | Naples, Italy | Philadelphia, PA |
| Tomato Sauce: | On the side | Baked in |
| How it’s made: | Baked or fried | Baked |
| Shape: | Crescent moon | Log |
Which Is Better Calzone or Stromboli?
When it comes to Italian cuisine, the debate over the superiority of calzone versus stromboli has been raging for ages. While both are delicious, frankly, I’m not sure there’s a clear winner here – it all comes down to personal preference.
Are you in the mood for a crispy, cheesy exterior with a savory filling? Then stromboli might be your go-to. But if you’re craving a more doughy, folded structure that allows for a variety of toppings, a calzone might be more up your alley.
If you are in the mood for a handheld, on-the-go snack? Stromboli might be your best bet. But if you’re looking for something more substantial that you need a fork and knife for, a calzone might hit the spot.
Whether you’re team Calzone or team Stromboli, one thing is for sure- both are sure to satisfy your Italian cravings.
How To Make Stromboli?
Stromboli is a delicious dish that combines pizza and calzone. To make it, you will need the following ingredients: pizza dough, mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, pepperoni slices, deli ham, onion, mushrooms, green bell peppers, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, olive oil and parmesan cheese.
First, preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread on the mozzarella cheese and top with the sausage, pepperoni slices and deli ham. Add in any other desired toppings such as onions, mushrooms or green bell peppers. Sprinkle over garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
Drizzle olive oil over the stromboli then roll up the dough along its long side. Tuck each end of the stromboli underneath itself to secure its shape. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve hot!
How To Cook Calzone At Home?
Making calzone at home is easier than you think, and the results are truly satisfying. To start, make your own pizza dough or buy it pre-made at the store.
Roll out the dough into a circular shape, add your desired fillings such as tomato sauce, cheese, and meats or veggies, then fold and seal the dough to make a pocket.
Finally, bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the outside. The end result is a piping hot, perfectly cooked calzone that’s sure to impress your taste buds.
Which Is More Healthier?
Let’s settle this debate once and for all. While both are delicious, one of these dishes stands out as the healthier option.
The calzone is typically baked and stuffed with cheese, vegetables, and meats.
On the other hand, stromboli is usually fried and loaded with similar ingredients. While frying might give a dish a crispy exterior, it also adds unwanted oils and calories.
So, if you’re looking to satisfy your Italian cravings while still watching your waistline, go for the calzone. It’s the healthier choice without sacrificing any of the mouth-watering flavors!
The Best Way To Store Calzone And Stromboli
If you’ve ever had a warm calzone or stromboli and couldn’t finish it all, you know how important it is to store it properly.
The best way to store a partially-eaten calzone or stromboli is to wrap it in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate it. Be sure to remove any toppings that may have gotten soggy during the cooking process, and then wrap the remaining portion tightly.
When reheating, heat it up in the oven or toaster oven for the crispiest crust possible. Don’t throw away those leftovers! Store them properly and enjoy them later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Which has sauce inside calzone or stromboli?
Calzone typically has sauce inside, while stromboli does not. Stromboli is usually filled with cheese and other toppings such as sausage, pepperoni or deli ham. Some recipes for stromboli may include a sauce inside, but this is not the typical preparation for the dish.
Does Stromboli have ricotta cheese?
Stromboli usually does not contain ricotta cheese. It is typically filled with cheese and other toppings such as sausage, pepperoni or deli ham. Some recipes may include ricotta cheese, but it is not a typical ingredient in the dish.
What kind of dough is used for Stromboli?
Stromboli is typically made with pizza dough. Common types of dough used are store-bought pizza dough, homemade pizza dough or focaccia dough. Some recipes may call for puff pastry or filo pastry to make a flaky crust.
How long can you store calzone and stromboli?
Calzone and stromboli can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, they can be frozen. To reheat, place on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
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