Savory Pie with Salami and Zucchini Flowers

Name: Savory Pie with Salami and Zucchini Flowers
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: Type 0 flour 4 cups; Water at room temperature 1.3 cups; Extra virgin olive oil 3 ½ tbsp; Brewer's yeast 1 ½ tsp; Fine salt 2.6 tsp; Salami 3.5 oz; Cheese semi-aged (like Branzi) 7.1 oz; Zucchini flowers 12 cups; Black pepper to taste; Egg yolks approximately 1 2.1 tbsp; Poppy seeds to taste; Whole milk to taste

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Difficulty: Average
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 45 min
Makes: 6 pieces

PRESENTATION

Rustico with salami and zucchini blossoms is, frankly, just a delight. Seriously good. This Italian savory pastry spices up the table with its cool snail-like shape and tender, flavorful filling. In Puglia, it's a summertime classic—perfect for family gatherings, busy street corners, or even during a soccer match. The way salami and golden semi-aged cheese pair with fresh zucchini flowers? Really, really good. You can taste Southern Italian love for local ingredients here. Zucchini blossoms add a soft bite, while the cheese melts in, giving that creamy texture everyone talks about. And listen, the rolled shape isn't just for show; it locks in all that yumminess and, trust me, smells incredible straight from the oven.

In Lecce, they have their own spin called 'Rustici leccesi,' with a bit of tomato usually. But this version with salami and zucchini blossoms? It's perfect for summer hangouts or those nights when you're just wanting to treat friends. The dough becomes crispy at the edges—super super satisfying—offering a nice contrast between the flaky outside and the rich, tender middle. And the best part? It's hard to stop at just one slice. Really. Every bite feels like a little celebration. And it shows up at birthdays, graduations, or movie nights, bringing people together. And you know what? Some folks compare it to a 'Babà rustico,' another Southern favorite, but this one’s got that special twist from the zucchini blossoms. That's the charm of Italian cuisine—simple, high-quality ingredients with tons of flavor. Always a reason to gather around. With all these tasty elements packed in, it's no wonder this dish is a fave for anyone who loves easy Italian recipes and the authentic taste of Southern Italy. Pretty much a winner.

INGREDIENTS

Type 0 flour 4 cups (500 g)

Water 1.3 cups (300 g) - at room temperature

Extra virgin olive oil 3 ½ tbsp (50 g)

Brewer's yeast 1 ½ tsp (7 g)

Fine salt 2.6 tsp (15 g)

For the filling: Salami 3.5 oz (100 g); Cheese 7.1 oz (200 g) - semi-aged (like Branzi); Zucchini flowers 12 cups (160 g); Black pepper to taste

For the surface: Egg yolks 2.1 tbsp (30 g) - approximately 1; Poppy seeds to taste; Whole milk to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Savory Pie with Salami and Zucchini Flowers

To prepare the savory pie with salami and zucchini flowers, start with the leavened dough: in a bowl, pour the flour, yeast 1, water 2, and start kneading by hand 3.

When the ingredients are combined, first incorporate the salt 4 and then the oil slowly 5. Finish the kneading phase on the work surface until the oil is completely absorbed 6.

Create a smooth and homogeneous sphere 7 and place it in an oiled bowl, covering it with plastic wrap 8. Let it rise for about 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled, under a wool blanket or at a constant temperature of 79-82°F 9.

In the meantime, cut the cheese 10 and salami 11 into cubes about 0.2 inches each. Lastly, clean the zucchini flowers by cutting the base 12.

When the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface 13 and roll it out with a rolling pin to obtain a rectangle about 27.5 inches long and 11.8 inches wide 14. Sprinkle with a little pepper 15.

Leave a couple of centimeters from the edges and pour the cheese and salami cubes in the middle 16, finally open the zucchini flowers in half 17 and cover the dough 18.

Close the short side over itself from one side 19 and the other 20 and start rolling the long side 21.

You'll get a nice thick roll 22 and then roll it up to form a snail shape 23. Transfer to a 9-inch mold with parchment paper at the base and greased around the circumference 34. Cover with a clean cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes.

After the time has passed, brush the surface with mixed egg yolk and a splash of milk 25, sprinkle with poppy seeds, and proceed with baking 26: the savory pie with salami and zucchini flowers bakes in a static oven, already hot at 356°F, for about 45 minutes. Enjoy it warm.

Storage

The savory pie with salami and zucchini flowers keeps in the fridge covered for 2/3 days.

If you prefer, you can also freeze it cooked or raw once rolled and before the last rise.

Tip

Add aromatic herbs to your liking inside the roll, oregano and fennel work very well! For the surface, you can also use some crushed nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.