Calzone Recipe | Pizza Pockets (Vegetarian)

Who says that you can’t have the most classic of Italian dishes as vegetarian? Whoever did, bring them to this post of mine! Here, I share one of my most favorite snacks from the cuisine of Italy, the Calzone. And a 100% vegetarian one. Also known as Pizza Pockets or Calzone Pocket, this one is a delicious version stuffed with a creamy, cheesy mixture of herbed bell peppers. The recipe is a bit lengthy and will require your complete attention, but in the end, its going to be worth!

What is Calzone

A Calzone can be simply described as an Italian style folded stuffed bread that is made with a leavened pizza dough. For this reason, it is also often referred to as a ‘turnover’ or more popularly as Pizza Pockets or Calzone Pocket. The fillings can be made with veggies, cheese, herbs, spices, meats, egg, etc.

Traditionally, large or even smaller Pizza Pockets are baked. But there are many variations like the ‘panzerotti,’ that can be fried too.

Calzone Pocket actually resembles the quintessential Indian sweet snack gujiya and karanji, which are essentially festive treats in our country.

It is said that the Calzone originated in the 18^th century and has its roots in the region of Naples in Italy. It also has a close resemblance to the Italian-American dish called ‘stromboli.’

However, the difference in the shape is the major factor that makes these two distinct. While a Calzone Pocket is always crescent-shaped, strombolis can be cylindrical or rectangular.

There are many variations of these Pizza Pockets in Italy itself. Each region actually specializes in a certain form of it. Like the ‘panzerotti’ of Apulia, ‘cuddiruni or cudduruni’ of Sicilia and ‘pastizz’ of Basilicata.

The most traditional filling is that of mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan or pecorino, salami or ham. Others include tomatoes, cabbage, olives, onions, chards, provolone, fish, minced meat, etc.

About Pizza Pockets Recipe

Since at home, once in a while, I do make a Pizza. So, I also end up making a Calzone sometimes. In fact, I really feel it is easy to prepare. You just have to stick to a good recipe and thankfully mine, never disappoints.

So, while the dough leavens, you prepare the stuffing which does not take much time. Then, just assemble, shape and prepare the Calzone Pocket. Also, if you have some leftover pizza dough, then it is quick to prepare these Pizza Pockets. These are great as tiffin or lunch box snacks too.

In this recipe of Calzone Pocket, I have used the sponge method for leavening instead of proofing the yeast directly. Also, both all-purpose flour (maida) and whole wheat flour (atta) are used to make the dough. This makes it somewhat healthier. However, you can also make it with only all-purpose flour or only whole wheat flour as well.

I usually prepare these Pizza Pockets with a simple stuffing of bell peppers, onions, basil, cream and cheese. You can even add other regular pizza toppings like tomatoes, corn, baby corn, mushrooms, olives, etc. in the stuffing mixture.

To make it easy for you to navigate through the procedure, I have divided this complete recipe post into 5 parts:

1. Making sponge mixture
2. Making dough
3. Making the veggie stuffing
4. Making the Calzone – assembling, rolling and shaping
5. Baking Calzone Pocket

How to make Calzone

Make Sponge Mixture

1. Warm 1.25 cups water. Add a pinch of sugar and 1 teaspoon instant yeast and stir.

2. Add ½ cup all-purpose flour (maida).

3. Stir and whisk this mixture very well. There should be no lumps.

4. Cover the bowl for 30 to 50 minutes and allow the mixture to bubble up at room temperature.

If the room temperature is hot or warm, then this process will take less time. The mixture will have a thin pudding like consistency.

5. The sponge after 40 minutes has bubbled up.

Make Dough

6. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt and 1 cup whole wheat flour (atta) in the sponge mixture.

7. Stir well with a spatula or wooden spoon.

8. Later, add another 1 cup whole wheat flour and continue stirring till the whole mixture gathers together and starts leaving the sides of the bowl.

9. Lastly, add the remaining ½ cup whole wheat flour and begin to knead with your hands.

10. Place the dough on the work surface and knead very well till it becomes smooth, springy and elastic. Add more water, if required.

11. Place dough in a bowl and brush water all over it.

12. Cover with a kitchen towel and keep for 45 minutes to 1 hour for leavening and rising.

13. Once the dough has risen well and doubled, divide it in 5 equal balls. Place in a bowl, cover and keep for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Make Veggie Stuffing

14. Chop 1 medium to large onion, 2 medium red bell peppers and 2 to 3 small to medium garlic cloves.

15. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan. Add the chopped onions and garlic and sauté till the onions soften and turn translucent.

16. Add the chopped bell peppers and sauté till they are almost cooked. Some crunch is desirable in the bell peppers.

17. Then, add the crushed black pepper and salt as required, 1 teaspoon red or white wine (optional), 1 teaspoon chopped basil leaves and 1 teaspoon chopped parsley or coriander leaves.

18. Mix well and switch off the heat.

19. When the stuffing mixture becomes warm, grate 70 to 80 grams cheese on top of it. For the cheese, use mozzarella of cheddar or an equal mix of these two cheese.

20. Add 2 tablespoons light cream (or low-fat cream) or 1 tablespoon of whipping cream or clotted cream.

21. Mix well and keep this stuffing mixture aside till it completely cools.

Make Calzone

22. Before baking, preheat the oven 20 minutes before at 250° C/480° F. Take a dough ball on a lightly dusted work surface or board.

23. Roll into a round of 5 to 6 inches diameter, like a thick roti or flatbread.

24. Place the prepared stuffing mixture on one side keeping a space of about 1 cm all around the circumference edge.

25. Gently cover the stuffed side with the remaining halve.

26. Join the edges.

27. Press with a fork so that the edge is sealed well. You can also brush some water and then press the edges.

The edges have to be pressed and sealed properly as you don’t want the stuffing mixture to come out while baking and create a mess. You can also make smaller Pizza Pockets.

Bake Calzone

28. Brush the Calzone with oil or milk on the top.

29. Gently lift and place them in a greased tray. Make more Pizza Pockets this way.

30. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Mine were golden after exact 18 minutes. Remove them with the help of a spatula and keep on a wire rack for cooling. Brush the surface with olive oil when they are still hot.

31. You can bake all of them at once, if you have a large oven or bake in batches as I have done. When warm, slice and serve Calzone Pocket with tomato sauce or pizza sauce or ketchup.

Expert Tips

1. You can use either instant yeast or dry active yeast for the sponge mixture. The conversion for this recipe is 1 teaspoon instant yeast = ½ tablespoon or 1.5 teaspoon of dry active yeast.
2. Keep in mind that with dry active yeast, you will have to give more time for the dough to leaven. So for the first rise, allow the dough to leaven for 1.5 to 2 hours or more. For the second rise, give a time of 40 minutes to 1 hour. The time taken to leaven will depend on the temperature and climate in your city or town.
3. Remember to knead the dough very well. It should be soft, elastic and springy. You could also use a stand mixer to knead the dough.
4. The process of making the sponge mixture will take less time if the room temperature is warm or hot.
5. Make sure to knead the dough till it becomes smooth, springy and elastic. If needed, add more water.
6. It is best to cook the bell peppers slightly and not fully. Some crunch in them works well for this recipe. Beside red bell peppers, feel free to add veggies of your choice. You can also add some button mushrooms.
7. Adding of red or white wine is optional. You can skip it easily.
8. While shaping, ensure pressing and sealing the edges properly. This way the stuffing will not come out while baking. You can shape the Calzone Pockets in smaller size too.
9. If you have a large oven, then you can bake all the Pizza Pockets at once. If you  have a small one, then bake in batches.

Calzone recipe from the archives was first published on July 2014.