How to Stretch the Neapolitan Pizza Style Canotto
If you’re a pizza enthusiast, you know that there’s more to a great pizza than just the toppings. The dough plays a crucial role, especially when it comes to crafting that delightful Neapolitan pizza known as "canotto." This unique style features a pronounced crust—often measuring 2 to 3 centimeters in height—that’s airy, light, and simply irresistible. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a dinner party or simply enjoy a slice of Italy in your own kitchen, mastering the technique of stretching canotto-style pizza dough is essential. Let’s explore how you can achieve this culinary masterpiece!
Understanding the Canotto Style
Before jumping into the stretching process, it’s important to understand what makes this style distinct. The term "canotto" translates to "dinghy" in Italian, referencing the puffed-up, raised edge of the pizza which holds in all the delicious toppings. This airy texture comes from the specific dough preparation and the careful way the dough is handled. To create a successful canotto pizza, you’ll need a high-hydration dough that ferments well, allowing those beautiful air bubbles to form.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To start your canotto adventure, gather the following ingredients:
- Flour: Use high-quality "00" flour, which is perfect for pizza due to its fine grind and high protein content.
- Water: The temperature of the water matters. A cooler water contributes to a slower fermentation process.
- Yeast: Use fresh yeast or active dry yeast to help your dough rise.
- Salt: This will enhance the flavor and regulate yeast activity.
Once you have these essentials, you’re ready to begin!
Preparing the Dough
The first step in this journey is preparing your dough. Combine the flour, water, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix until it comes together, then add the salt. Knead the dough on a clean surface until it’s smooth and elastic. This process shouldn’t take too long, around 10 minutes should suffice. Follow up by covering the dough with a damp cloth and allowing it to rise for about 2-3 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Stretching the Dough
Now comes the fun part: stretching the dough to create that characteristic canotto edge! Once your dough has properly risen, it’s time to divide it into manageable balls—around 250 grams each is ideal.
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Flour Your Surface: Lightly dust your work surface with flour to prevent sticking.
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Gently Flatten the Dough: Take a dough ball and press it down with your fingertips, creating a small disc.
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Start Stretching with Your Hands: Use the palms of your hands to gently work your way around the edges of the dough. Always make sure to keep the center thicker, as this will support the toppings and create that lovely edge.
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Use Gravity to Your Advantage: Hold the dough by the edges, letting it hang for a moment. This helps to distribute the thickness evenly while keeping the cornicione light and airy.
- Finalize the Shape: Carefully rotate and stretch until you reach your desired diameter, typically around 12 inches.
Topping and Baking
Once you’ve stretched your dough, it’s time to add your favorite toppings. Traditional choices include San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Bake your canotto-style pizza in a preheated pizza oven or at the highest setting your home oven can reach. If you’re using a pizza stone, allow it to heat up for at least 30 minutes to maintain that high temperature. The pizza should cook for about 60-90 seconds in a wood-fired oven, or 8-12 minutes in a conventional oven, depending on your setup.
Enjoy Your Creation
After all that hard work, it’s time to enjoy your canotto pizza! Slice it up and share it with friends or family, or keep it all to yourself—no judgment here. The airy, impressive crust combined with fresh toppings is sure to impress everyone at the table.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or for more pizza video suggestions! Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pizza maker, the journey to perfecting the canotto style is an enjoyable one. Happy pizza making!
