Calzones are a popular Italian dish that are similar to pizzas, but are folded over and sealed, creating a pocket-like shape filled with various ingredients. The spelling of "calzones" is phonetically transcribed as /kælˈzoʊniːz/. The 'c' is pronounced as /k/, the 'a' is pronounced as /æ/, the 'l' is pronounced as /l/, the 'z' is pronounced as /z/, the 'o' is pronounced as /oʊ/, the 'n' is pronounced as /n/ and the 'e' is pronounced as /iː/.
A calzone is a type of Italian dish that originated in Naples. It is essentially a folded pizza or turnover, typically shaped like a half-moon or a semicircle. Calzones are made by rolling out pizza dough into a circular shape and then filling it with a variety of ingredients such as cheese, vegetables, cured meats, and sometimes sauce. Once the filling is placed on one half of the dough, the other half is folded over and sealed by pinching the edges tightly. The sealed calzones are then baked in an oven until they become golden brown and crisp.
The word "calzone" itself translates to 'trouser' or 'pant leg' in Italian, which is fitting given the folded and enclosed nature of this dish. It is considered a popular and convenient meal option, as the filling is completely enclosed within the dough, making it easy to eat on the go or as a takeaway item. Calzones can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even as a snack.
Traditionally, calzones were made with simple ingredients such as mozzarella cheese and ricotta, but nowadays, there are countless variations available. These can range from vegetarian options with mushrooms, spinach, and sundried tomatoes, to meaty versions with pepperoni, sausage, or prosciutto. Calzones are often accompanied by a side of marinara or tomato sauce for dipping.
The word "calzone" is derived from the Italian language. Its etymology can be traced back to the late 18th century from the Italian word "calzoni", which is the plural form of "calzone". In Italian, "calzone" means "trouser" or "pants leg". This name was given to the food because the shape of a folded calzone resembles a closed trouser leg.