The History, Cultural Significance, and Origins of Recco Focaccia

Recco Focaccia, also known as Focaccia di Recco or Focaccia col Formaggio, is a traditional Italian dish that hails from the town of Recco in the Liguria region of Italy. This dish has a rich history and cultural significance that is as appealing as its delectable taste.

History and Cultural Significance

The history of Recco Focaccia dates back to the 12th century, during the time of the Crusades. It is said that the people of Recco, who were mainly sailors and farmers, created this dish during the periods when they had to stay away from their homes for long durations. They needed a food that was easy to prepare, had a long shelf life, and was nutritious. Thus, focaccia was born.

Focaccia di Recco is not just a dish; it's a symbol of the town's history and resilience. Every year, on the last weekend of May, the town of Recco celebrates the 'Sagra della Focaccia di Recco', a festival dedicated to this culinary delight. During this festival, people gather to enjoy this dish and celebrate their shared heritage.

Origins

The uniqueness of Recco Focaccia lies in its simplicity. Unlike other types of focaccia that use yeast in their dough, the dough for Focaccia di Recco is made only with flour, olive oil, salt, and water. The filling is traditionally a soft cheese called 'crescenza' or 'stracchino'. The original recipe has remained unchanged for centuries, passing down through generations.

Recipe for Recco Focaccia

Ingredients

• 200 grams of plain flour
• A pinch of salt
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 100 ml of water
• 200 grams of crescenza or stracchino cheese
• Additional extra virgin olive oil for brushing

Preparation Steps

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the olive oil and gradually add the water while kneading. Continue to knead until you have a smooth and elastic dough.

2. Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out each part into a thin sheet, about the thickness of a crepe.

3. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Celsius.

4. Brush a round baking pan with olive oil. Lay one sheet of the dough in the pan, letting it adhere well to the bottom and sides.

5. Spread the cheese evenly over the dough.

6. Cover with the second sheet of dough, joining the edges of the two sheets of dough to seal in the cheese.

7. Brush the top with more olive oil.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

9. Let it cool slightly before cutting into pieces and serving.

Useful Tips

• The key to a perfect Recco Focaccia is in the dough. It must be rolled out as thinly as possible before baking.
• If you can't find crescenza or stracchino cheese, you can substitute with other soft cheeses like mozzarella.
• Traditionally, Recco Focaccia is baked in a wood-fired oven. If you don't have one, a conventional oven will do just fine.

The average preparation time for this recipe is about 1 hour and 30 minutes, including resting time for the dough.

Enjoy this delicious piece of Italian history from the comfort of your own kitchen!