The Puccia Leccese Recipe

The Puccia is a traditional Italian sandwich that hails from the region of Salento in Puglia. The bread is made with durum wheat flour and is stuffed with various fillings such as grilled vegetables, cured meats, and cheese. Here’s a simple recipe for making the Puccia bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound durum wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 ounce instant yeast
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/4 cups warm water

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and yeast. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the olive oil and warm water.
2. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10-12 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
3. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4. Punch down the dough and divide it into 4-6 balls, depending on how big you want your Puccia to be. Roll each ball out into a round shape, about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Cook each Puccia for 3-5 minutes on each side, until it’s golden brown and puffy.
6. Once cooked, cut each Puccia in half and stuff with your desired filling. Some popular fillings include grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula. Serve warm.

Verdict:

The Puccia Leccese is a delicious and versatile sandwich that’s easy to make at home. The bread has a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior that’s perfect for holding your favorite fillings. The recipe above yields enough dough for 4-6 sandwiches, but you can easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd. Buon appetito!

Serving Suggestions:

The Puccia Leccese is a great meal to enjoy for lunch or dinner, and it pairs well with a variety of sides such as salad, chips, or soup. You can also serve it as a party appetizer by cutting it into smaller pieces and offering an assortment of fillings for your guests to choose from.