When we left Connecticut 5 years ago, one of the first things we noticed missing in South Carolina were deli’s. Let me clarify – small, privately owned, Italian deli’s. SubMikes or Blimpyway doesn’t qualify as a “real” deli in our book – not even close.
We are admittedly spoiled, because growing up in New England you could go to any state, any county, and almost any town and find a small “hole in the wall” place that sold cured meats, cheeses, and hopefully cannolis. These were family-owned places that put their own personal touches on the food, especially the Grinders. To you that might be a Hoagie, Sub or Hero. In CT it’s known as a Grinder…or Grindah depending on where in the state.
Those small family owned places are not as common as they once were, but there are still a few here and there. And man do we miss them – our dreams are haunted by those perfect crusty loaves piled high with delightfully salty cured meats, fragrant cheeses, spicy hot peppers, oil & vinegar dressing…sigh. I could weep just thinking about it.
Our Italian Deli Pizza is a tribute to all those wonderful family deli sandwiches that we miss so much. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Like all pizza, the quantities of toppings is subjective – you can use less or more than we do in our recipe. If you’re building this on a pizza peel like we did, make sure that you have enough flour on the peel to keep your pizza from sticking when you slide it into the oven – and yet not too much or the excess flour will burn on the bottom of your pie, making it bitter.
- One pressed out 10" pizza dough ball
- 1/4 cup basic white pizza sauce
- 8 slices proscuitto
- 8 slices salami or capicola
- 8 thin slices provolone cheese
- 2 Tbsp hot cherry peppers, chopped
- Spread the white sauce onto your pizza, leaving a 1/2 inch rim unsauced. Spread the prosciutto and capicola in overlapping layers. Top with overlapping layers of provolone cheese. Dot the top with the hot cherry peppers. Bake in a wood fired oven for 2-3 minutes, or until done. Or bake in your home oven at 450 degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until done. Serve hot.
Got some favorite pizza recipes of your own? Feel free to share your recipes and photos of your creations over on our forum!
Bob abbott says
Looks great
Admin2 says
Thanks Bob! Anytime you want to come across the lake and have some just let us know!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
This pizza looks incredible.. definitely craving a slice (or two) of it right now.
Matthew Sevigny says
We love it too! You’re doing good if you can stop at two slices!
Kurt & Janice Beeman says
Hi Mathew,Melissa,& Mason, Janice and I love your recipes I think we will try this Italian deli pizza. As you know the snow here is quite deep but when I can get across the street I will get you the shots of your pizza oven.
Matthew Sevigny says
Thank you Kurt!