Five Food Finds about Calzones:

• Also known as calzoni in some parts of Italy, like the pizza, it originated in Naples.

• The loose translation of the word calzone to trouser legs from Italian to English may explain the purpose of what essentially is a pizza hand pie.

• On National Calzone Day, the dough will be infused with garlic and butter to add flavor.

• Sauces made from scratch with Italian herbs and spices will lend that old world flair to every calzone recipe.

• By the time the mozzarella, provolone or parmesan melts into the sausage, spinach or whatever choice ingredients, aromas will be filling the air and mouths will be watering.

Real Italian Calzones recipe

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YIELD:  Makes 8 servings
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INGREDIENTS

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil 
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt 
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup ricotta cheese 
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese 
1/2 cup diced pepperoni 
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves 
1 egg, beaten

DIRECTIONS

1. To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.

2. To Make Filling: While dough is rising, combine the ricotta cheese, Cheddar cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms and basil leaves in a large bowl. Mix well, cover bowl and refrigerate to chill.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

4. When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 2 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.

5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.