Cuzzetiello alla Parmigiana: A Delicious Italian Street Food Recipe

Learn to prepare Cuzzetiello alla Parmigiana, a unique Italian street food that combines flavors of classic Parmigiana in a bread shell.

Introduction to Cuzzetiello alla Parmigiana

Cuzzetiello alla Parmigiana is a mouthwatering and irresistible dish that offers a delightful twist on the classic cuzzetiello filled with meatballs.

This unique Italian recipe features ‘pane cafone’, hollowed out and layered with ingredients that evoke the flavors of parmigiana: tomato sauce, mozzarella, and fried eggplants. The sauce soaks into the bread, making it soft, and a quick trip to the oven creates a crispy crust. If you adore bold flavors and the contrast between crunchy bread and gooey filling, this is the recipe for you!

Perfect for any time of the day, Cuzzetiello alla Parmigiana is also great for picnics and is meant to be enjoyed outdoors, strictly with your hands!

If you are a fan of Campanian recipes, check out:

• Panuozzo Napoletano
• Napoletani Panini
• Cistecca
• Napoletane Frittatine di Pasta
• Pizza a Portafoglio with Salami

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of pane cafone (rustic Italian bread)
• 400g of tomato sauce
• 300g of mozzarella cheese
• 2 medium-sized eggplants
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil for frying

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Begin by preparing the eggplants. Slice them and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for about 30 minutes to release excess water.
3. Rinse and dry the eggplants, then fry them in olive oil until golden brown. Set aside.
4. Cut the top off the loaf of pane cafone, hollow out the inside, and reserve the bread for later use.
5. Start layering the ingredients inside the hollowed bread: first, a layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of fried eggplants, followed by mozzarella. Repeat the layers until the bread is filled.
6. Cover with the bread top and wrap the entire loaf in aluminum foil.
7. Bake the cuzzetiello in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted.
8. Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, then slice and serve warm.

Total Time

Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour

Cuisine

Italian