ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (2024)

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The Mozzarella in Carrozza one of the simplest andtastiest Italian snacks; worldwide popular, and with an interesting and smart history. Originally, the idea behind the Mozzarella in Carrozza has been prompted from the needs to reuse stale bead and old mozzarella. Nowadays, this appetizer is made with white bread slices, and mozzarella, and optionally other toppings like anchovies or ham. Here the recipe and the history!

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MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA HISTORY AND LEGEND

The origin of Mozzarella in Carrozza (Mozzarella in a Carriage) is humble. This recipe came from the need to re-use the old mozzarellas and stale bread.

The legend tells the name derives from the shape of the sandwich: originally the bread slices where rounded, similar to the wheels of a coach.

The first news of Mozzarella in Carrozza appears since the XIX Century, but probably the origin is older.

This recipe is typical of Neapolitan cuisine, but two popular variations belong to the Roman and Venetian tradition.

ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (4)

WHAT KIND OF MOZZARELLA

The Neapolitan Mozzarella in Carrozza requires Bufala mozzarella. You want the mozzarella sliced and flushed out 1 night in the fridge to eliminate the excess liquid.

The Roman and Venetian variations demand Fiordilatte mozzarella, more solid and ready to be used without any treatment.

ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (5)

WHAT KIND OF BREAD

Initially, the Mozzarella in Carrozza was preparing with stale Neapolitan bread, named Cafone. Nowadays, besides some chefs that still prepare this recipe in the original way, the most common bread is sliced white bread.

ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (6)

NEAPOLITAN VS ROMAN AND VENETIAN RECIPE

The Neapolitan Mozzarella in Carrozza is filled exclusively with cheese, to preserve the pure taste of mozzarella.

The Roman variation requires an adding of preserved anchovies or, less frequent, Italian Prosciutto.

The filling of Venetian Mozzarella in Carrozza follow the Roman variation, but the bread is the Local Tramezzini bread, slightly different from the common white bread.

ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (7)

MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA CRUST VARIATIONS

Commonly, the Mozzarella in Carrozza is quickly soaked into an egg and milk batter. Besides the tradition, some chefs preferer make an additional step coating the sandwich with breadcrumbs and/or grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (8)

MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA RECIPE

MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA RECIPE & HISTORY - traditional Neapolotan fried cheese sandwich

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Author: Filippo Trapella - philosokitchen.com

Recipe type: appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 5 oz (140 g) mozzarella
  • 8 slices white bread
  • 3 eggs
  • 3 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 cup sesame oil
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • to taste table salt

Instructions

  1. MOZZARELLA TREATMENT
    If you opted for the traditional Bufala mozzarella, cut it into slices, same thickness of the bread; salt a little and place over a colander. Finally, place the strainer over a bowl, and store in fridge covered for about 8 hours, up to 24h.
    Otherwise, if you are using a more solid mozzarella like Fiordilatte, slice it just before preparing Mozzarella in Carrozza.
  2. MAKING MOZZARELLA SANDWICH
    First, cut and discard the crust from the bread slices shaping every slice into a square. Now, dry every slice of mozzarella with a clean kitchen towel, then build 4 sandwiches.
  3. COATING THE MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA
    At this point, let's prepare the batter. Crack the eggs, and pour them into a bowl along with the whole milk and 3 pinches of salt, then whisk until consistent.
    After that, flour the mozzarella sandwiches, shaking them to discard the flour in excess. Then, soak quickly in all their part, and fry as soon as possible, as described in the following step. Pay attention: the sandwiches will be precarious until properly fried.
  4. FRYING AND SERVING
    Pour the oil into a saucepan, and preheat to 340° F (170° C): you want the line of the oil cover half of the sandwich. Now, fry the Mozzarella in Carrozza, a couple at a time, until golden, flipping them on halfway. Rest the sandwiches a little over paper towels to drain the oil in excess, then serve hot and stringy!
  5. PREPARE MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA IN ADVANCE
    In case of leftovers, or if you prefer to prepare the Mozzarella in Carrozza in advance, fry and store them into the fridge in a covered box. Before serving, place the sandwiches on a tray and re-heat into the oven.

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SAUTEED SPINACH AND MOZZARELLA RECIPE

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ITALIAN "MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA" RECIPE & HISTORY (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of mozzarella in carrozza? ›

Mozzarella in carrozza is a famous specialty, made up of a simple and poor recipe. Some trace its origins to the Middle Ages, in the regions of Campania. In fact, due to the slowness of transport, buffalo mozzarella reached the dairies slightly soured. Edible, but more suitable for filling cooking.

What mozzarella in carrozza means? ›

A carrozza, also referred to as mozzarella in carrozza ( lit. 'mozzarella in a carriage'), is a type of fried cheese sandwich or pastry in Italian cuisine. It is prepared by coating a mozzarella cheese sandwich in egg and flour, and frying it.

What is carroza? ›

carriage, the ~ Noun. coach, the ~ Noun. railroad carriage, the ~ Noun.

What is the Italian word for mozzarella sticks? ›

I once found them in an obscure supermarket under the name 'bastoncini di mozzarella'. As such they are not popular or wide spread in Italy.

What was mozzarella originally made from? ›

Mozzarella was first made in Italy near Naples from the rich milk of water buffalos. Because it was not made from pasteurized milk and because there was little or no refrigeration the cheese had a very short shelf-life and seldom left the southern region of Italy near Naples where it was made.

What is the history of mozzarella in Italy? ›

History of Mozzarella

The story goes that it was first made on accident when a few cheese curds fell into a pail of hot water. There's also a story from the 3rd Century A.D., in which the monks of San Lorenzo di Capua were recorded handing out bread to locals with a cheese they called “mozza”.

Why do Italians call it mozzarella? ›

Mozzarella is a diminutive form of mozza, which means “cut.” The earliest confirmed reference to the cheese using the name we currently use, is from a 1570 cookbook written by the first celebrity chef, Bartolomo Scappi. In Italy, most of the mozza cheese sold is still made from Italian buffalo milk.

What is the slang word for mozzarella? ›

Mozz – Slang name used by locals to describe mozzarella or a mozzarella pizza.

What does mozzarella mean in Italy? ›

The name mozzarella comes from the Italian mozzare, "to cut off." Definitions of mozzarella. mild white Italian cheese. type of: cheese.

Who made the carroza? ›

Zobel was among the first artists to use the carroza or karosa, a religious image on a float traditionally paraded during fiestas, as subject in his works. In 1953 his large polymer on panel Carroza won first prize in the Art Association of the Philippines semiannual competition.

What is carosa in English? ›

[kaˈhɔsa ] feminine noun. cart , wagon. Copyright © 2014 by HarperCollins Publishers.

How many calories are in mozzarella carrozza? ›

Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
859Calories
50gFat
63gCarbs
38gProtein
Mar 14, 2024

What is a ball of mozzarella called? ›

Bocconcini, also known as mozzarella balls or pearls as their shape resembles that of cherries and cherry tomatoes, are one of the most present products in the Puglia cuisine. Mozzarella balls and pearls are produced with cow milk and feature a typical white color and a delicate flavour.

What country invented mozzarella? ›

Mozzarella originates from Europe and more precisely from the Campania region in Italy. However, we have to say it is hard to make sure when exactly this cheese was first made in Italy.

What is the history of mozzarella di bufala? ›

By the 12th Century onwards, they served a new purpose as their milk was used to create buffalo cheese. One of these cheeses, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, originated as a local speciality on the marshy plains of South-Central Italy. Its unique flavour is influenced by the buffalo's diet.

How did mozzarella get its name? ›

Mozzarella is named after its specific production process. In Italian, the verb mozzare refers to the way the curd is hand-stretched in strips and then cut into balls. The term 'mozzarella' first appeared in Italy in 1570 in a cookery book by Bartolomeo Scappi, chef to the papal court.

What is the history of mozzarella sticks? ›

1976: According to some sources, the concept of string cheese came to life in the mid-1970s when Frank Baker, a Wisconsin cheesemaker, dreamed up the idea of snack-size pieces of mozzarella.

Where is the best mozzarella in the world? ›

And there, in the Italian mozzarella DOP region of Campania, 50 kilometers south of Salerno and 15 minutes from the picturesque ancient ruins of Paestum, is the Tenuta Vannulo, an organic farmstead owned by the Vannulo family since 1988 and one of the few 100% organic mozzarella farms in the world.

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