Cartocciata Prosciutto Cotto e Mozzarella

Cartocciata Prosciutto Cotto e Mozzarella is a Sicilian street-food specialty that has found a celebrated home in Aosta, Italy, at Fornetto Siciliano. The dish is a portable, oven-baked calzone-like pocket, distinguished by its paper-thin, crispy dough that is folded around a filling of cooked ham (prosciutto cotto) and fresh mozzarella. The name "cartocciata" derives from the paper cone (cartoccio) in which it is traditionally served, allowing for easy eating on the go.

A great version of this dish is defined by the contrast between the shatteringly crisp, golden crust and the warm, melted mozzarella that stretches with each bite. The ham should be high-quality, providing a savory counterpoint without overwhelming the cheese. The dough must be light and blistered, a hallmark of proper high-heat baking. Franchino Er Criminale, a creator who highlighted Fornetto Siciliano, praised the venue for achieving this perfect balance, noting that the cartocciata there is "crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside."

Regional variations exist across Sicily, with some versions incorporating ricotta, salami, or even spinach. In Aosta, however, the classic prosciutto cotto e mozzarella remains the benchmark, offering a pure taste of Sicilian tradition in the Alpine north.