True Taste of Italy

This Vegetable Calzone (Calzone con Verdure) or “trouser leg” is a tasty alternative to pizza.  Typical pizza ingredients are placed on a rolled-out pizza dough, then the dough is folded over to a half-moon shape.  This recipe is full of healthy vegetables and will definitely satisfy a hungry appetite.

Ingredients for Vegetable Calzone:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 (5 ounce) bag fresh spinach
• 1 medium eggplant, diced
• 1½ cups sliced mushroom
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3 tablespoons grated parmigiano cheese
• 1 recipe Basic Pizza Dough
• Olive oil

Directions for Vegetable Calzone:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Heat olive oil and garlic in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Add spinach, eggplant, mushrooms, salt to taste, and crushed red pepper and sauté until vegetables are soft.
• Drain skillet and add mozzarella cheese and parmigiano cheese.  Stir to mix well with vegetables.
• Place ball of dough on floured surface and divide into 4 balls.  Roll each ball into flat circle about ½ inch thick.  Brush olive oil over each circle and sprinkle a little salt over top.
• Divide vegetable filling on each of 4 circles.  Place filling on half of each circle and leave 1 inch border.
• Fold other half of circle over filling and pinch edges to seal.
• Spray non-stick spray on baking sheet and place each calzone on baking sheet.  Brush olive oil on outside of each calzone.
• Place in oven and bake about 30 minutes.  Check occasionally to make sure calzones are browning nicely.

Serves 4.